Suspected political thugs stormed the Oredo Local Government Area secretariat in Edo State on Monday, preventing Chairman Tom Obaseki from accessing his office. Armed with weapons and chanting war songs, the hoodlums occupied strategic positions at the secretariat, forcing the council boss to retreat.
Obaseki, who spoke to journalists outside the council premises, expressed concern over the incident. “I came here to continue my work as the elected chairman of Oredo Local Government. 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,” he said.
The chairman’s attempt to resume work followed a ruling by the Edo State High Court on Friday, which nullified his suspension alongside 17 other council chairmen.
The 18 chairmen and their deputies had been suspended by the Edo State House of Assembly after a petition by Governor Monday Okpebholo, who accused them of alleged insubordination and gross misconduct.
The incident has sparked concerns about the growing tension in the state’s political landscape, with calls for security agencies to intervene and restore order at the council secretariat.