Attack on our members, lawyers at Election Tribunal premises condemnable – APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has stated that the attack on its members and lawyers by People’s Democratic Party(PDP) hired thugs at the Election Tribunal premises in Benin on Monday is unacceptable and condemnable.

In a statement emanating from Emperor Jarret Tenebe, the Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress(APC) on Tuesday morning, he said: “The All Progressives Congress in Edo State came under serious attack yesterday at the premises of Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal, which commenced sitting. 

“This latest of the series of attacks the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has visited on us is one too many. We had alerted the security agencies ahead of yesterday’s attack, but sadly, the police ignored this. Several of our members were caught unaware by the dastardly groups of thugs that were hired by the Peoples Democratic Party to disrupt the tribunal proceedings and maim APC leaders, members and lawyers. 

“They violently attacked our members and some lawyers representing other political parties and left several persons with various degree of injuries.”

Going further, Tenebe averred: “These  PDP thugs who were seen in branded Asue Ighodalo’s T-shirts and caps, came with battle axe, bottles and other dangerous weapons, which they used freely on APC members who did not provoke any fight. They took over the court premises and adjoining streets without resistance from the police. 

“Their unbridled murderous attacks were captured in different video recordings that are now in circulation. The latest attack, refreshes the memory of what happened at the Benin City Airport exit gate when PDP agents murdered Inspect Akor Onu in cold blood.”

Tenebe was of the opinion that “the  police failure to prosecute all those that were identified in that killing may have emboldened the PDP killer squad to carry out this latest attack.” 

On a final note Tenebe submitted that his party in the circumstance “will not guarantee the restraining of our members in subsequent court dates. We are left with no option but to defend ourselves and also be on ground to arrest those we have identified as killers of Inspector Akor, some of whom also inflicted life threatening injuries on our members yesterday.”

In its reaction through Chris Nehikhare, its Publicity Secretary, the PDP Caretaker Committee, said: “We cannot dignify the APC with a response.”