A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Edo State, Barrister Ken Imansuangbon, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently rein in members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State following the reported attack on opposition figures in Benin.
Imansuangbon made the call on while reacting to Tuesday’s incident at the Benin residence of former Edo State Governor, John Odigie-Oyegun, where the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party(LP), Peter Obi, and other political stakeholders were reportedly meeting.
Describing the development as a dangerous sign for democracy, Imansuangbon warned that failure by the President to check alleged excesses of APC members in the state could plunge Edo into chaos.
“It is deeply troubling that Edo State is witnessing this emerging wave of political intolerance,” he said.
“What happened on Tuesday is a prelude to chaos and anarchy if not urgently addressed. President Tinubu must call his party members in Edo to order before the situation spirals out of control.”
The ADC stalwart alleged that the attack bore the “imprint of the ruling party hirelings,” stressing that such acts of intimidation and political gangsterism have no place in a democratic society.
He insisted that the Presidency has a responsibility to ensure that members of the ruling party uphold democratic norms.
According to him, the reported attack on the ADC Secretariat in Benin and the residence of Odigie-Oyegun has tarnished the image of Edo State and raised concerns about the safety of opposition leaders.
He cautioned against turning Edo into a political battleground ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging the President to demonstrate leadership by promoting tolerance and internal discipline within the APC.
“Edo State should not be reduced to a theatre of political warfare as 2027 approaches. Politics must be played freely and fairly. The President must rein in his party members and ensure that democracy is not undermined by acts of desperation,” Imansuangbon said.
He also urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to maintain law and order, adding that the state deserves leadership focused on governance rather than political intimidation.
Imansuangbon maintained that safeguarding Edo’s democratic heritage requires immediate action from both the Presidency and the state government to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
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