Benin City, January 15, 2025 – Chaos erupted outside the Governorship Election Tribunal in Benin City today when an unidentified man, dressed in clothing resembling that of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), began firing sporadically into the air. The incident has sparked accusations from the PDP, who allege that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) orchestrated the act as part of a broader scheme to disrupt the ongoing legal challenge over the disputed Edo State governorship election.
In a statement issued by Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, the party condemned the shooting as a “desperate attempt” by the APC to frustrate the tribunal’s proceedings and discredit the PDP. The statement emphasized that the PDP had, before the start of the Tribunal proceedings, instructed all its members to avoid the venue in anticipation of potential APC-instigated violence.
“Pray tell, why would the PDP attempt to disrupt the only opportunity it has to reclaim the mandate given to it by the people of Edo State during the last governorship election?” the statement read. It also highlighted that the gunman, whose was captured moving freely on a busy street outside the court premises in a viral video circulating on social media, acted openly yet was not apprehended by the police who were nearby.
Eyewitness accounts suggest that the shooter arrived at the courthouse in a white unmarked Hilux wearing a mask and PDP-branded attire, before causing panic with gunfire. Videos from the scene show people scattering as the gunman fired into the air multiple times. Security personnel eventually restored order, but the incident has left many questioning the adequacy of law enforcement’s response.
The PDP alleged that the APC, known for employing similar tactics in local councils and public spaces, orchestrated the act to intimidate and distract from the tribunal’s critical proceedings. They called on law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute the shooter, an alleged APC member whose identity is reportedly discernible from the circulating footage.
The incident underscores the heightened tensions surrounding the governorship election tribunal, where the PDP is contesting the declared victory of Monday Okpebholo of the APC. The PDP insists that its victory was stolen through widespread irregularities and has pledged to use the tribunal to reclaim its mandate.
The Edo PDP concluded its statement with a stern warning to the APC: “We say enough is enough of this rascality and lawlessness. This must stop immediately before it leads to a total breakdown of law and order in the State.”
