BENIN CITY, EDO STATE — Reports have emerged detailing an attack on the Secretariat of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, marking the latest incident in a series of violent disruptions targeting opposition political infrastructure across the state.
The incident was captured in a video circulating online, showing damaged property at the party’s local headquarters, with eyewitnesses and party faithful attributing the assault to political thugs acting on behalf of rivals.
Escalating Political Violence In Edo State
The attack in Ikpoba-Okha comes amid growing concerns over political intolerance and targeted intimidation ahead of upcoming electoral contests:
- Targeting Opposition Infrastructure: Local NDC officials report that armed assailants stormed the secretariat, ransacking offices, destroying campaign materials, and damaging structural property before fleeing the scene.
- Allegations Of Pre-Election Intimidation: Opposition figures and commentators have condemned the assault, accusing political opponents of resorting to violence, voter suppression, and destruction of party offices as a deliberate strategy to destabilize the opposition.
- Demands For Security Action: Party leaders in Edo State have called on the Police Command and relevant security agencies to launch an immediate investigation, arrest the perpetrators, and bolster security around party offices across the state’s 18 local government areas.
Calls For Electoral Sanity
Civic groups and political analysts have expressed alarm over the recurring attacks on party secretariats, warning that unchecked political violence threatens the credibility of the democratic process.
With political tension steadily mounting across the South-South region, stakeholders are urging political parties to rein in their supporters and adhere to peaceful campaign practices, emphasizing that security agencies must remain neutral and decisive in curbing electoral violence.
