Politics
Gunshots Disrupt Proceedings As Edo Gov’ship Tribunal Begins Hearing
Lawyers, litigants, politicians, and reporters scampered for safety, fearing stray bullets.
However, the swift intervention of heavily armed security personnel restored order, enabling the tribunal session at the Edo High Court Complex on Sapele Road, Benin City, to proceed.
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Jarret Tenebe, condemned the incident, calling the shootings profoundly disturbing and unacceptable.
“The tribunal is a sacred space where justice should be dispensed impartially. Any act of violence within its confines undermines the very foundation of our legal system and jeopardises the safety of everyone present”, Mr Tenebe said.
He emphasised that violence is never an acceptable means of resolving disputes, regardless of political affiliation, urging all to condmn the shootings in the strongest terms.
The APC chairman also asserted that violence has no place in a civil society, insisting that those responsible for this egregious act must be brought to justice swiftly and without exception.
Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC was declared winner of the governorship election on September 21, 2024, and was inaugurated on November 12 of last year.
Among the seven of the 18 political parties that filed petitions at the tribunal were the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Accord (A), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Action Alliance (AA), all seeking to have their candidates declared the winners of the fiercely contested poll.