The Edo State Chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress are at loggerheads over allegations of party secretariat destruction.
The Publicity Secretary of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Osa Nehikhare, in a statement on Thursday, alleged that the APC thugs invaded his party secretariat destroying and carting away properties worth millions of naira.
He said the thugs also destroyed doors, windows, and office equipment at the Secretariat, adding that several electronics, computers and other valuable items were also carted away by the thugs, who ransacked the building with the plan to attack any person found in it.
Nehikhare condemned the attack, describing it as a desperate and reckless attempt by the APC to intimidate the PDP and frustrate the party’s efforts at reclaiming its mandate stolen at the September 21 governorship election.
He said, “It is quite disappointing and unfortunate that the APC, on Thursday, mobilised thugs to attack our party Secretariat in their desperation to frustrate and halt efforts by our great party to reclaim the mandate duly given to it by the Edo people at the September 21 governorship election.
“The thugs invaded the secretariat, destroying and carting away properties worth millions of naira.
“If the APC are confident that they won the election free and square, and have nothing to hide, why are they jittery and mobilising thugs to attack the PDP Secretariat?
“This is barbaric and condemnable and we urge relevant security agencies to thoroughly investigate the attack and ensure that the perpetrators of this dastardly act are brought to book.
“The PDP remains resolute and will not be intimidated or deterred in its pursuit for justice and the restoration of our mandate.”
He charged party members and supporters to remain calm and resolute in the face of the provocations as the party explored every legal channel to reclaim its mandate.
Responding in a phone interview with our correspondent, the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, described the allegation as baseless and urged the PDP to settle its internal problems, warning them not to drag the APC into their messy affair.
He said it was absurd to label those who allegedly attacked the PDP office as APC thugs wondering if the thugs wore APC uniform or had APC paraphernalia on them.
He noted that the APC government in the state has already embarked on a project the PDP government failed to carry, adding that his party was still basking in the euphoria of their victory and putting the state in the right part.
He said, “How can the PDP say that the thugs that attacked their party secretariat are that of APC? Did the people have anything on them to show that they were APC members? The allegation is baseless and there is no proof.
“The allegation is weighty and criminal in nature so the PDP should be sure they have proof before making the allegation. We will urge the PDP to sort out its internal problem and not drag the APC into it.
“The APC government in the state is already embarking on a project that the PDP failed to do. These are projects that will better the lives of the people.”