By Ayo Ayodele
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has condemned the recent attack on members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including Peter Obi and John Oyegun, describing the incident as a troubling escalation of internal party conflict.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor expressed sympathy for those affected and warned against bringing violence into the state under the guise of political activity. He alleged that certain individuals attempted to exploit Edo’s peaceful atmosphere to incite unrest.
“As peace-loving citizens, we will not tolerate the importation of thugs and miscreants from outside the state,” he said, adding that his administration would not allow Edo to become a battleground for political rivalry.
Okpebholo suggested that the attack may have been aimed at discrediting the state and undermining its reputation as one of the more peaceful states in Nigeria. He stressed that politics should focus on performance and engagement with the people rather than violence or blackmail.
While condemning the assault, the governor advised the ADC to address what he described as internal disagreements instead of directing blame externally. He also urged residents to remain calm and not allow the incident to disrupt the peace of the state.
The governor called on security agencies to intensify surveillance of political gatherings and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and property across Edo State.