The All Progressives Congress in Edo State has strongly rejected allegations made by the Peoples Democratic Party regarding an attack on the Etsako West Local Government Secretariat in Auchi.
The PDP had accused Governor Monday Okpebholo of deploying thugs and armed men to attack the secretariat, a claim that the APC has labeled politically motivated.
The incident in question occurred on Monday, when suspected thugs barricaded the secretariat, preventing council chairman Marvellous Zibiri and other workers from accessing their offices. This followed the suspension of all 18 council chairmen and their deputies by the Edo State House of Assembly on December 17, 2024.
In a statement issued on Saturday, APC Chairman Jarret Tenebe condemned the allegations, calling them reckless, irresponsible, and politically charged.
Tenebe argued that findings from various eyewitnesses and stakeholders pointed to internal conflicts and power struggles within the councils, as well as factional disputes within the PDP, as the true causes of the violence, rather than any actions by the governor.
“The allegations against Governor Okpebholo are baseless, misleading, and politically motivated,” Tenebe stated, urging the public to be cautious of such claims. He further emphasized that Governor Okpebholo’s administration has consistently upheld the rule of law and transparency, gaining the respect of Edo residents.
According to the APC, the violence at the LGA headquarters was a result of ongoing internal disputes within the councils, which the governor’s administration has been working to resolve. Tenebe also pointed out that the governor has been fully compliant with all court orders and injunctions regarding the local councils, further distancing him from the attack.
Additionally, the APC accused Tony Aziegbemi, chairman of the factional PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, of orchestrating his own kidnapping and extorting a ransom. Tenebe suggested that Aziegbemi’s mental health may have been affected by this incident, questioning his credibility.
The APC concluded by reaffirming its support for Governor Okpebholo, praising his commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability, and vowing to continue providing accurate information about the situation in Edo State.
