Chaos as Political Thugs Disrupt APC Governorship Primary in Edo State

Hoodlums Invade Coalition Centre, Assault Journalists and Electoral Officers

Political thugs allegedly working for a leading aspirant in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary election in Edo State on Saturday invaded the coalition centre, disrupting the exercise.

The incident occurred at Lushville Hotels and Suites in GRA, Benin City.

According to reports, results from eight local governments had already been announced before the hoodlums, numbering in the hundreds, stormed the venue.

Despite the presence of heavily armed security operatives, the thugs assaulted journalists, chased electoral officers, and officials of the party’s State Working Committee out of the venue, leading to the suspension of the collation exercise.

The chairman of the electoral committee, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, was reportedly at the Protea Hotel during the incident.

Prior to the disruption, Senator Monday Okpebholo had won six local government areas, while Honourable Dennis Idahosa won two out of the eight local governments whose results had been announced.

The chaos unfolded live on television, with journalists forced to vacate the centre as the thugs overpowered police operatives at the gate.

Several journalists, including an NTA cameraman and an FRCN reporter, were manhandled, and their equipment was damaged.

Despite the presence of Edo State Commissioner of Police Funsho Adeboye and party officials at the collation centre, the hoodlums engaged in a free-for-all, disrupting the primary election process.