The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday urged the Monday Okpebholo-led government to stop intimidating, harassing, and silencing members of the opposition in the State.
Speaking during a press conference on Friday, at its Secretariat in Benin City, the Edo State capital, the Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, said the government has intensified efforts by way of politicising critical issues as a cover to oppress opposition.
“We called this press conference to draw the attention of Edo people, and indeed all Nigerians, to a very dangerous and disturbing trend perpetrated by the All Progressives Congress-led government of Senator Monday Okpebholo, in its apparent desperation to intimidate, harass, and silence opposition in the State.
“We want to unequivocally state that we are in support of every genuine policy and initiative that the state government brings to bear in the fight against cultism, criminality, and other related crimes in Edo State.
“As a responsible party, we do not support the rising insecurity and killings going on in the State, and expect the government to use every legitimate means within its power to bring these acts to an end. We maximally support all sincere efforts in this regard.
“We also take this opportunity to commiserate with all families who have lost their loved ones during this period. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, and we pray that God grants you the strength to bear the losses.”
Aziegbemi further stated that the PDP has observed a concerning pattern where the APC state government is allegedly exploiting the guise of combating crime to target prominent PDP members in the state.
He cited the recent sealing of a hotel belonging to Hon. Matthew Iduoriyemkewen three days prior and the planned demolition of Francis Inegbeneki’s private residence two days prior, both ostensibly part of the anti-criminality efforts.
Aziegbemi added that the PDP is aware of a purported extensive list of properties, businesses, and private houses owned by their members that the APC state government intends to demolish, and thus, the party is alerting security agencies to what they consider a malicious and unsophisticated political tactic in Edo State.
“We have never had it so bad where the opposition is not allowed to perform its basic role of holding the government accountable. We believe strongly that a government will be better off if it has a strong opposition.
“Hounding down PDP and other opposition members will not help but instead tarnish the government’s image,” he said.
