Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has strongly condemned the recent attack on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing the incident as an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the state and escalate internal party disputes.
In a statement released on Tuesday evening and obtained by ENigeria Newspaper, the governor expressed sympathy for the victims and criticised those who allegedly exploited Edo’s peaceful environment to incite violence.
“As peace-loving citizens, we categorically condemn and will not tolerate the importation of thugs or miscreants from outside the state under the guise of political activity,” the governor said.
Okpebholo stressed that his administration would not allow Edo to become a battleground for political rivalries. He suggested that the attack’s main goal was to discredit the state, which has long been recognised as one of Nigeria’s most peaceful regions.
Highlighting the importance of politics focused on governance rather than intimidation, the governor said, “No political blackmail or violent action will weaken the support of Edo residents for their government. Politics must be about performance, engagement with the people, and earning public trust.”
While condemning the violence, Okpebholo advised the ADC to look internally, indicating that the conflict may stem from within the party rather than from external forces. He also appealed to residents to remain calm and not allow the incident to affect the state’s peaceful image.
The governor warned all political parties to resolve internal disagreements before organising public events and reaffirmed that any attempt to incite violence under the guise of politics would be met with strict enforcement.
Former governors John Odigie-Oyegun and Peter Obi were amongst the members who escaped an assasination attempt yesterday evening at the residence of the former.
Finally, he urged the police and other security agencies to remain vigilant during political gatherings, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Edo State.
