Edo State woke up to the chilling specter of political thuggery as armed men, allegedly led by Kapuepwe, younger brother to Tony Kabaka, attacked the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat on Airport Road. This brazen act of violence, which saw property destroyed and workers forcefully evicted, is a grave affront to the rule of law and a stain on our democratic fabric. Governor Monday Okpebholo, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, must confront this challenge decisively, especially as his own mandate faces scrutiny in the courts.
The election that brought Governor Okpebholo to office is being contested, and the judiciary is examining its legitimacy. In such a precarious political climate, his actions and inactions in responding to this lawlessness will shape public perception of his leadership. If he aspires to be seen as a true statesman, he must rise above partisanship and send a clear message that political violence has no place in Edo State.
A Tarnished Justification
The purported rationale for this attack—that the secretariat was originally an APC property repurposed by Governor Obaseki to divide the PDP—rings hollow. For four years, the PDP operated peacefully from this location without incident. To suddenly resort to brute force under the pretext of “reclaiming” property is nothing more than a smokescreen for political vendetta.
Renowned philosopher John Locke once posited, “Wherever law ends, tyranny begins.” By allowing this violent reclamation to go unchecked, Governor Okpebholo risks enabling tyranny to take root. Edo’s political discourse must not devolve into a battlefield where the loudest and most violent voices prevail.
Governor Okpebholo: The Courtroom and the Court of Public Opinion
Governor Okpebholo’s leadership is under a dual microscope: the integrity test in court and the broader judgment of Edo citizens. His handling of this crisis will play a pivotal role in how history remembers him, especially if the courts ultimately annul his election. Will he be seen as a governor who upheld the law and dignity of his office, or as one who enabled political thuggery for short-term gains?
Names have been mentioned in connection to the attack, including Kapuepwe, and the public is watching closely. Governor Okpebholo must direct security agencies to investigate and prosecute those responsible without fear or favor. Failure to act will not only undermine his moral authority but also deepen suspicions about the legitimacy of his government.
As Martin Luther King Jr. aptly warned, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”By taking decisive action, Governor Okpebholo has an opportunity to prove that his administration stands on the side of justice, even amidst political adversity.
The Fragility of Democracy
Edo State has enjoyed relative peace in recent years, even in the face of intense political rivalries. This fragile stability must not be sacrificed on the altar of partisan power struggles. Allowing violence to fester unchecked would embolden more acts of thuggery, threatening to unravel the democratic gains of the past decade.
Institutions such as the judiciary, civil society organizations, and law enforcement agencies must act as custodians of our democracy. While the courts adjudicate the legitimacy of the governor’s mandate, his administration must prioritize protecting the sanctity of democratic institutions.
A Call to Conscience
The attack on the PDP secretariat is not just an assault on a building but a symbolic blow to the principles of democracy. Governor Okpebholo must act swiftly to restore public confidence by ensuring justice is served. His response will either affirm his commitment to the rule of law or suggest complicity in the descent into chaos.
John Stuart Mill wisely observed, “The worth of a state, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it.”Governor Okpebholo must remember that his actions today will echo far beyond his tenure. Should the courts invalidate his election, the legacy he leaves behind will determine whether Edo people remember him with disdain or respect.
Edo State stands at a crossroads. The governor’s actions now will either restore its reputation as a bastion of democracy or cement it as a cautionary tale of political opportunism. Governor Okpebholo, the responsibility lies with you. Will you protect the democracy that you claim to lead, or will you allow it to crumble under your watch? History—and the courts—are watching.
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