PDP condemns assault on Dr Pedro Agbonifo Obaseki in Edo, calling forced stripping and public humiliation a deliberate act of political violence
The Peoples Democratic Party has condemned the alleged assault, forced stripping and public humiliation of Dr Pedro Agbonifo Obaseki, a cousin of former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, describing the incident as deliberate political violence.
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In a statement on Sunday, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, Edo State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, alleged that the attack was carried out by youths identified as supporters of the All Progressives Congress.
According to reports, the incident occurred at the football field of Uwa Primary School along Igbesamwan Street in Benin City, where Dr Obaseki had gone to play football.
Video footage circulating on social media reportedly showed him being dragged from the field by a group and forced towards the Oba of Benin’s Palace.
“Dr Obaseki was accosted by a mob, harassed, threatened with death, stripped naked and forcibly dragged towards the Palace of the Oba of Benin,” Osa-Ogbegie said.
“This was barbarism in its rawest form, evil, uncivilised and utterly repugnant.”
The PDP stressed that the conduct of the attackers was inconsistent with the values and traditions of Benin Kingdom, which is historically associated with dignity, order and respect for human life.
“Benin civilisation is renowned for dignity, restraint and respect for human worth. The hooligans who carried out this atrocity do not speak for Benin and are a disgrace to its culture,” the party said.
Osa-Ogbegie added that Dr Obaseki is a respected figure whose academic work and public advocacy have contributed positively to society, and posed no threat to public order.
The party rejected attempts to justify the attack under the guise of protecting traditional institutions.
“If an offence is alleged, the police station, not the street, is the lawful venue. No mob, political gang or individual is above the law,” the statement read.
“This inversion of justice strikes at the heart of the rule of law.”
The PDP called on the Edo State Commissioner of Police to immediately identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible, irrespective of political affiliation.
It also accused the APC-led government of encouraging political violence through silence and warned that such incidents damage the state’s image and undermine public confidence.
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The party expressed sympathy to Dr Obaseki and his family, demanding a clear disassociation from the incident by traditional institutions, a public explanation from the state government and security agencies, and concrete measures to end political thuggery.
