BENIN City, the capital of Edo State has long been associated with one form of violence or the other. This violence, entrenched over the years, includes armed robbery, students’ activism, national protests resulting in jailbreaks, and recently, political violence occasioned by the battle to control the Government House by political gladiators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
For the umpteenth time in the battle for the governorship seat of Edo State, gunmen unleashed terror in the ancient city of Benin City, instilling fears among political gladiators and party faithful who were in court to witness the hearing of the Election Petition Tribunal for the 2024 gubernatorial election.
The gun-wielding suspected hoodlums attempted to disrupt the sitting of the tribunal as they reportedly fired sporadic gunshots, causing panic and scaring passers-by and individuals within the premises of the tribunal.
In terms of violence, Benin bears the toga of the proverbial tortoise that features in every tale or story. Incidentally, the city has overcome some life-threatening situations and surges on with some socio-economic development like states of its category, but individuals perpetrating political violence are yet to be tamed.
Before the governorship election, held in September 2024 and won by Monday Okpebholo of the APC who beat his closest rival, Asue Ighodhalo of the PDP, the state was almost consumed by violent confrontations with factions accusing each other of being responsible.
The unfortunate development, no doubt, was triggered by the feud between the Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, and his erstwhile Deputy, Mr. Philip Shuaibu over succession. Although there were interventions by party chieftains, community, and religious leaders, the crisis escalated beyond expectations.
The face-off culminated in the gruesome attack on some APC bigwigs at the Benin Airport, which claimed the life of a serving Police Inspector, Mr. Onu Akor. There was also an attack on one of the offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), whereby some electoral materials and files were destroyed.
As expected, factions loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have continued to trade words, blaming each other over the several incidents of electoral violence in Edo.
While the blame game is on, none of the perpetrators has been arrested. Even those fingered in the Benin Airport attack are moving freely, with some parading as party stalwarts.
The violent disposition of politicians in Edo State is inimical to our fledgling democracy. It is unfortunate that a state that is reckoned with as one of the elitists’ enclaves in the federation will degenerate to the level of individuals attacking a legal institution.
The gunmen attack and the attempt to disrupt the Election Petition Tribunal is an abnormally, barbaric, reprehensible, affront on democracy, and an attempt to derail the course of justice. It is a desecration of the temple of justice and those responsible should be fished out and made to face the law.
At the level of our democratic endeavours, politicians in Edo are expected to build a radiant, developed, and prosperous state and not to mobilise thugs to disrupt the election petition tribunal’s proceedings.
Consequently, we call on the politicians in the state to reorder their steps and allow peace and harmony to guide their actions. The phrase: ‘Politics is not a do or die affair’ should guide their activities at all times.
Security agents, especially the police in the state, should also brace up to the demands and ensure that members of the three-man election tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi are protected both within and outside the venue of the tribunal to adjudicate on the Edo 2024 election.
We also call on traditional rulers, opinion leaders, political party chieftains, members of vigilante groups, and youth leaders to make contributions towards taming political violence in Edo and to allow the election tribunal an opportunity to administer justice.
Those creating panic and instilling fear among members of the tribunal and residents should allow justice to take its course in the Edo 2024 election.
