PDP and APC trade accusations over the Pedro Obaseki assault in Edo, with each party blaming the other amid ongoing police investigation
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has accused youth members of the All Progressives Congress of orchestrating the attack and stripping naked Dr Pedro Obaseki, a cousin of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
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In a statement by the PDP’s Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the party described the incident as a “premeditated ambush” and part of a recurring pattern of political violence, intimidation, and mob action in Edo State since last year.
The PDP statement said Dr Obaseki, who had gone to play football at his regular spot, was accosted, harassed, threatened with death, stripped naked, and forcibly dragged toward the Oba of Benin Palace.
It called for the identification, arrest, and prosecution of all those involved and demanded accountability from the Edo State Government and police.
“The conduct does not represent the character, history, or values of the Benin people. The hooligans who carried out this atrocity are a disgrace to Benin civilisation,” the statement added, urging authorities to dismantle political thuggery and restore law and order.
Responding, the APC, through its acting Publicity Secretary, Victor Osehobo, dismissed the PDP claims as politically motivated, arguing that investigations are ongoing and no one has been shielded.
“The PDP has hijacked an isolated incident to smear Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration and discredit the security architecture in Edo State.
Security coordination has improved, intelligence gathering strengthened, and criminal networks are being disrupted,” the APC statement said.
Osehobo described the PDP’s response as “reckless” and “dishonest,” asserting that mobs and political hooliganism would not govern Edo State under the current administration.
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The incident, which occurred at Uwa Primary School in Benin City on Sunday, has drawn national attention, with both parties trading accusations while police investigations continue.
