By Francesca Hangeior

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have traded blame on the shooting incident at the Edo Governorship Election Tribunal in Benin on Wednesday.

A statement by the APC Chairman in Edo, Jarret Tenebe, described the incident as a “deeply disturbing and unacceptable act of violence that undermined the sanctity of the judicial process.”

Tenebe accused supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of carrying out what he described as a dastardly act.

Recall that some gunmen suspected to be political thugs disrupted proceedings of the tribunal shouting, “Give us our mandate,” while shooting sporadically.

The shooting caused panic with lawyers, members of the tribunal, and others at the proceedings fleeing for safety.

However, Tenebe, in a statement, described the tribunal as a sacred space where justice was meant to be administered impartially.

“Any act of violence within its walls undermines the very foundation of our legal system and threatens the safety of all involved.

“Regardless of political affiliation, resorting to violence to resolve disputes is never justifiable.

“We must all condemn such actions in the strongest possible terms.

“Violence has no place in a civilised society, and those responsible for this heinous act must be brought to justice swiftly and without exception,” the chairman said.

However, in a counter-statement, the PDP in the state disassociated itself from the shooting incident.

The PDP chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, described the incident as yet another in the series of clandestine efforts by the APC to frustrate the legal process and tarnish the image of the opposition party.

“The APC in Edo, who are clearly scared of justice, have continued their devious ploy to frustrate our party from reclaiming the mandate duly given to us by the good people of Edo in the last governorship election at the tribunal.

“They have now resorted to deploying thugs disguised in PDP-branded attire to disrupt the legal process while pointing accusing fingers at our party,” Aziegbemi said.

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, accusing him of multiple statutory and financial infractions.

Mr Obasa was subsequently replaced by his deputy Lasbat Meranda. Mrs Meranda, who represents Apapa Constituency 1, was also a former chief whip of the House.

The removal came days after reports indicated Mr Obasa oversaw the withdrawal of N43.5 billion for back up vehicles for lawmakers, as well as other controversial activities.

Mr Obasa was in Atlanta when he was impeached.

Mr Obasa, 52, was first elected Speaker on June 8, 2015, resuming office alongside former one-term governor Akinwunmi Ambode.

Repeated charges of fraud and political thuggery have marked his speakership. In 2020.

Details shortly…

By Francesca Hangeior

Senator Samuel Anyanwu, on Monday, stated that he remains the substantive National Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party.

Last week, the Appeal Court in Enugu State dismissed Anyanwu’s position, upholding the decision that recognised former National Youth Leader, Sunday Okoye as the National Secretary.

Upon arriving at the PDP National Headquarters in Abuja around 10:50 am, Anyanwu stated that with the stay of execution, the status quo must be preserved, meaning he remains the national secretary until the court resolves the matter.

He stated, “As you can see, I’m in the office. As a matter of fact, the ruling of the Appeal Court judgment has been appealed at the Supreme Court, and there is a stay of execution. So, the position remains the way it is until determined by the Supreme Court.”