Benin City – The political atmosphere around Benin City and some major cities of Edo State seem to be heating up as Edolites prepare to go to the polls. A visit to major cities of the state would readily reveal the tension steadily mounting as election day draws near, and major political juggernauts ready themselves in what seems more and more like a war preparation for a major offensive than a gubernatorial election.
Report reaching our news desk from Iguoriakhi in Ovia South-West Local Government of the state has it that the home of a prominent People’s Democratic Party youth mobilizer in Ora Ward (Ward 3) by name Orobosa Ogiemudia was sacked in a commando-style-raid .
According to our source, the said Orobosa Ogiemudia is a grassroot youth mobilizer for the major opposition party in the state and his activities , according to an undisclosed source, was seen as a clear and present danger to the success of the ruling party not just only in the ward but in Ovia South-West Local Government as well.
The attackers, who are rumoured to be on the pay roll of a prominent ruling party stalwart in the area (name withheld), were said to have invaded the home of the said Orobosa Ogiemudia in the early hours of last Tuesday with what one observer noted was a clear order to kill the said Orobosa Ogiemudia who, fortunately was not at home when the attackers struck. The whereabouts of the said Orobosa Ogiemudia has at press not be ascertained.
With about 3 months to the Edo guber polls, political strategists in the state are plotting their political graphs and doing their political arithmetic that will take their candidates to Dennis Osadebey Avenue, the seat of government in the state .
According to information reaching our news desk, some family members of Orobosa Ogiemudia were given the beating of their lives when the attackers realized that there target was not at home.
The attack at Orobosa Ogiemudia home was not an isolated one as a house along 2nd Cemetery Road in the state capital was razed down under very mysterious circumstances after its owner had a fracas with a renowned ruling party stalwart in the area and the fire is said to be connected with the fight.
In yet another attack last week, the home of a ruling party faithful in Auchi was attacked as some unidentified gunmen stormed the compound shooting sporadically in the air before suddenly dispersing.
Democracy was supposed to be defined not just by periodic election but also by justice, fairness and equality. The process that produces leadership under a democratic setting must be credible, unforced and must reflect the wishes and aspiration of the majority of the people. It is therefore sad to note the rather high level of violence that has become the norm as far as elections in Nigeria is concerned.
