NDC candidate raises alarm over intimidation of opposition in Edo

Edo Central senatorial candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) John Yakubu has accused Edo State officials and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of intimidating opposition parties in the state.

"What is happening in Edo State today is such that it’s been designed by the government in power to intimidate every person," Mr Yakubu said.

In an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Show on Tuesday, he said that billboards belonging to opposition parties are being targeted for destruction and removal in the state.

"During the broad daylight, billboards are being constantly removed by officials of government and local councils without a record of due process."

"And one particular embarrassing situation is that a two-faced billboard carried that of the APC and that of the opposition party. You see, they climbed up, removed that of the opposition party, and allowed that of the APC to remain intact."

Besides the removal of advertisements, he said that opposition parties struggle to find venues for their meetings in the state. Mr John described this situation as annoying and embarrassing, saying it goes against the spirit of democracy.

He pointed out that Nigeria practices multi-party democracy and everyone should be allowed to campaign freely. "We are beginning to see that there is a political esprit de corps, a diabolical esprit de corps, which people might constantly refer to as satanic," he said.

Mr Yakubu called on the public, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, and other stakeholders to speak out against the intimidation of the NDC in the state. "We are appealing to the entire nation to come to the rescue of Edo State politicians who are not of the APC’s extraction."

"I want to appeal to the governor of Edo State. He was in opposition when he won his election to represent Edo Central Senatorial District on the floor of the Red Chamber. He should allow such an atmosphere to exist," the senatorial candidate said.

He mentioned that despite petitions to the Edo State police, nothing has been done. He accused the Edo State Police Command of being biased towards the ruling party. He said NDC’s petition to the Inspector General of Police is still waiting for his intervention.

This is not the first time an opposition figure in Edo State has raised concerns about intimidation by state officials and the ruling party’s supporters. The situation has worsened as the 2027 general elections approach.

Earlier on Monday, Edo State chapters of the NDC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) raised alarms about intimidation and violence allegedly caused by the APC in the state.

Last month, the ADC highlighted a threat from the Edo State APC Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, who declared “AK-47 fire” against anyone who challenged the party’s goal to secure 2.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

While the NDC called for an investigation into this threat, it said it would stay strong in its campaign for the 2027 elections. But the APC has consistently denied these claims.

Governor Monday Okpebholo, who controversially stated in July last year that NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi must get his approval to visit Edo State, has also denied claims of intimidating opposition parties.

In an interview with AIT on 30 October, John Mayaki, a party official and director of media for the Edo APC campaign council, said the party does not have time to destroy opposition billboards.

"Will the party sit down and have the policy of destruction of billboards because it will earn us votes? It doesn’t make sense to anybody," Mr Mayaki said.

He added that the party chairman did not instruct members to arm themselves with AK-47 but with the “armour of God.”

As the 2027 general elections get closer and campaigns heat up, the atmosphere is charged with intense political rhetoric.