Suspected political thugs stormed the Oredo Local Government Area secretariat in Edo State on Monday, preventing Chairman Tom Obaseki from entering his office.
The armed hoodlums took up strategic positions around the secretariat, chanting war songs, in a bold display of power that forced the embattled council boss to retreat.
Obaseki, who had resumed work for the day, was met with the disturbing sight of the thugs already in control of the council premises. Speaking to journalists outside the secretariat, he expressed his frustration at the situation: “I came here to continue my work as elected chairman of Oredo Local Government. I met a whole lot of thugs who had already overtaken the council,” Obaseki said.
“This is a very disturbing trend. We are calling on the security agencies to intervene and arrest the situation. What is important is that we have a restraining order,” he added.
Obaseki’s return to office followed a significant legal victory. On Friday, the Edo State High Court ruled in his favor, nullifying his suspension along with 17 other council chairmen. The suspension had been imposed by the Edo State House of Assembly, following a petition from Governor Monday Okpebholo. The governor accused the chairmen of insubordination and gross misconduct.
Despite the court ruling, Obaseki found himself unable to resume his duties due to the violent interruption by the thugs, raising concerns about the growing political tensions in the state. Security agencies have yet to respond to the chairman’s call for action, and the situation remains unresolved as of the latest reports.
