‘Retract Your Threats Immediately’ – Edo PDP Tells Okpebholo

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has condemned what it described as the “alarming descent” of Governor Monday Okpebholo into threats, intimidation and political brinkmanship.

The party accused the governor of executive recklessness following his recent public allegation that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) was promoting cultism and his reported vow to commence demolition of houses belonging to opposition leaders and members.

In a statement issued by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the PDP said the governor’s actions were “beneath governance.”

The opposition party stressed that no governor in a constitutional democracy has the authority to criminalise political opposition by mere proclamation.

“No governor in a constitutional democracy possesses the power to criminalise political opposition by proclamation. Allegation is not conviction. Political affiliation is not evidence of crime. Property rights are constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be withdrawn on the altar of executive irritation or political paranoia,” the statement read.

The PDP described the development as troubling, noting that the threats were coming from a governor who, it claimed, had on several occasions embarrassed the state on the national stage through avoidable public blunders.

“The most recent instance being his inability to correctly articulate the President’s GCFR appellation during an official engagement.

“While such incidents may appear trivial in isolation, they are symptomatic of a deeper concern: governance demands preparation, clarity of thought, discipline and composure.

“Leadership requires cognition, restraint and depth. What Edo is witnessing instead is impulsiveness, insecurity and an escalating hostility toward dissent,” the party stated.

Alleged Attack After Akpata’s Declaration To ADC

Naija News reports that the PDP also raised concerns over reports of violence in Benin City following the formal declaration of Mr Olumide Akpata into the ADC.

“More disturbing are credible reports emerging from Benin City that, during the formal declaration of Mr Olumide Akpata into the ADC, armed individuals allegedly trailed opposition leaders from the ADC Secretariat to the residence of Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, fired gunshots at the gate and destroyed vehicles in what appears to have been an attempted assassination.

“If these reports are accurate, Edo State is standing dangerously close to political anarchy,” it said.

According to the party, the sequence of events was deeply concerning.

“The sequence is deeply concerning. First, inflammatory accusations. Then threats of demolition. Now reported armed intimidation. This trajectory must be halted immediately,” the opposition party added.

‘Fight Cultism Lawfully’

While acknowledging that cultism is a serious security challenge, the PDP cautioned against politicising security issues.

“The fight against cultism is a serious security challenge requiring intelligence-led operations, lawful arrests, diligent prosecution and judicial determination. It cannot be reduced to political theatre designed to demonise opponents.

“To weaponise security concerns for partisan suppression is to weaken both democracy and genuine crime-fighting efforts. It also reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of the limits of executive authority in a constitutional order,” the statement added.

The party called on Governor Okpebholo to immediately retract his alleged threats against opposition members and reaffirm his commitment to constitutional governance.

“Governor Okpebholo must immediately retract his threats against opposition members and publicly reaffirm his commitment to constitutional governance. He must direct security agencies to conduct a transparent investigation into the reported armed attack and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, irrespective of political affiliation,” the statement added.

It also urged the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in the state to remain professional and impartial, stressing that their loyalty was to the Constitution, not to political office holders.

The PDP maintained that Edo people deserved leadership that inspires confidence rather than fear.

“Edo people deserve leadership that inspires confidence, not anxiety. A government secure in its mandate does not fear opposition. A Governor confident in his performance does not resort to demolition threats.

“Democracy thrives on debate, contestation and lawful engagement. It deteriorates when intimidation replaces persuasion and force substitutes ideas,” the PDP statement stressed.

Reaffirming its position, the party said it would continue to defend constitutional order and the political rights of Edo citizens.

It concluded, “The PDP will continue to defend constitutional order and the political rights of all Edo citizens. We will resist any attempt to drag our state into executive lawlessness or politically induced violence.

“Edo belongs to its people, not to one administration.

“Governor Okpebholo must step back from this dangerous path before irreversible damage is done to our democratic fabric. History is watching.”