The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on security agencies to intervene over an alleged plan by supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to stage a protest at the State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Tuesday.
The APC State Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, raised the alarm in a petition issued on Monday, urging law enforcement agencies to prevent any disruption at the Office of the Attorney General, where the tribunal proceedings are ongoing.
“We urge security agencies, including the Police, Department of State Services, and Nigerian Army, to be vigilant and take necessary measures to prevent a potential disruption of the Office of the Attorney General by supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
“The disruption allegedly aims to influence the ongoing Edo State Governorship tribunal,”** the petition read. Last born last born
This development follows the ribunal’s decision to reserve judgment in the PDP and Ighodalo’s petition challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship election.
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A three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi reserved judgment on Monday after parties in the case adopted their final written addresses.
Reaffirming APC’s stance, Tenebe warned that the party would not tolerate any attempt to interfere with the judicial process or disrupt tribunal proceedings.
He also called on security agencies to take the threat seriously and hold those behind the planned protest accountable for any consequences.
PDP Reacts: “Our Rally Is Peaceful”
Responding to APC’s claims, Deputy National Youth Leader of the PDP, Timothy Osadolor, dismissed the allegations as propaganda, insisting that the rally was peaceful and aimed at protecting democracy.
“The APC and its agents have become a propaganda machine. We saw the kind of election they conducted in Edo, where votes were allocated randomly. We also saw the pollution they did with the Rivers LG election.
“The rally we are having is a peaceful one. What we are trying to say is that what happened in Edo must not be allowed to stand in a democracy if we want to avoid strife in this country. It is something that all men of goodwill must stand up to and say: enough is enough.”
Osadolor further called on President Bola Tinubu to caution Tenebe and other APC leaders in Edo, reminding them that power transitions should be peaceful, just as former President Goodluck Jonathan handed over to Muhammadu Buhari without conflict.
“The president must call Jarret Tenebe, the state APC chairman, and all his hirelings to order. He should let them know that the reason he is president today was because a man called Goodluck Jonathan handed over peacefully and seamlessly to his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, who handed the baton to him.”
With tensions rising ahead of the tribunal’s verdict, all eyes remain on the security agencies and the political actors involved.
Source: Ripples