NIGERIA: Thugs Take Over Edo LG Secretariat, Block Chairman From Office

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria  

Suspected political thugs on Monday seized the Oredo Local Government Area secretariat in Edo State, effectively blocking the council chairman, Tom Obaseki, from accessing his office.

The armed hoodlums, chanting war songs, occupied strategic positions within the secretariat, creating a tense and volatile atmosphere.

The embattled chairman, who had arrived at the premises to resume work, was forced to retreat after encountering the group.

Speaking to journalists outside the council premises, Obaseki described the situation as a troubling escalation of political hostility.

“I came here to continue my work as the elected chairman of Oredo Local Government,” Obaseki said.

“But I met a whole lot of thugs who have already overtaken the council. This is a very disturbing trend. We are calling on the security agencies to arrest the situation. What is important is that we have a restraining order.”

The incident comes just days after an Edo State High Court nullified the suspension of Obaseki and 17 other council chairmen.

The chairmen and their deputies were suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly following a petition by Governor Monday Okpebholo, who accused them of insubordination and gross misconduct.

Despite the court ruling reinstating the chairmen, the standoff at Oredo underscores the deepening political tensions in Edo State.

Obaseki’s inability to access his office raises concerns over the rule of law and the growing involvement of political thugs in local governance disputes.

As the situation unfolded, there was no immediate intervention by security agencies to disperse the hoodlums or restore order at the secretariat.

The chairman’s call for swift action by law enforcement reflects the urgency of preventing further escalation and ensuring the safety of government officials and public assets.