The Nigeria Association for Public Opinion Research has issued a warning about the escalating political crisis in Edo State following the suspension of 18 local government chairmen by Governor Godwin Obaseki and the state House of Assembly.
The group stressed that urgent intervention from President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and the Department of State Services is necessary to prevent the situation from spiraling into a full-blown crisis.
The warning comes as the suspended chairmen prepare to defy the governor and lawmakers’ order and resume their duties on Monday. The chairmen’s decision is backed by a Benin High Court ruling and a declaration from the Attorney General of the Federation, both of which deemed the suspension illegal. NAFPOR expressed grave concern that the ongoing political tension could lead to violence and the destruction of property, according to The Sun.
NAFPOR’s research reveals an imminent threat to the local government council secretariats, warning that these buildings could be set on fire as early as Monday morning if immediate security measures are not implemented. The group highlighted reports of thugs being stationed at the various secretariats to prevent the democratically elected chairmen from resuming office. It also noted that death threats against the chairmen and their aides have been circulating on social media, escalating fears of violence.
The research body criticized the silence of the police and security agencies, pointing to a similar crisis in Rivers State, where late intervention led to the deaths of individuals and the destruction of local government facilities. NAFPOR called for a proactive approach by the police to prevent further escalation of the crisis in Edo State, emphasizing that timely action is crucial to avoiding widespread damage and loss of life.
In a statement issued by NAFPOR’s National Publicity Secretary, Ufuoma Okiokpa, the organization called on President Tinubu, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and the DSS to deploy sufficient security forces to protect the council chairmen and their offices. Okiokpa urged the security agencies to ensure the safety of the chairmen, particularly as thugs have reportedly taken over key local government areas like Oredo, Etsako East, Egor, and others.
“Research has revealed that the 18 Local Government Council Secretariats in Edo State may be set ablaze on Monday morning if President Bola Tinubu, the DSS, and the IGP do not immediately issue a public statement to caution against the ongoing positioning of thugs across the various Secretariats to prevent the democratically elected council chairmen from continuing their services to the masses,” NAFPOR said.
NAFPOR also expressed concern over the undermining of local government autonomy, pointing out that the actions of the Edo State government and legislature contradict the Supreme Court’s landmark ruling granting local government autonomy. The organization warned that failing to uphold this ruling would set a dangerous precedent for other states to disregard constitutional provisions and undermine democracy.
““The chairmen are set to resume office tomorrow, Monday, but as of now, thugs have invaded the various local government secretariats to cause mayhem. The earlier the IGP cautioned these thugs against a violent breakdown of law and order in Edo State, the better. We must build a proactive police system that is preventive and not reactive. Now that the crisis is brewing, it is the right time to stop it, not after the damage has been done,” it said.
Additionally, NAFPOR referenced the recent investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , which cleared the suspended chairmen of any wrongdoing following a petition by the governor. The group warned that allowing such political impunity to persist would erode the authority of the judiciary and embolden other state governors to act outside the law.
The statement added with a call for law enforcement agencies to act decisively to ensure peace and security in Edo State and across the country, reinforcing the need to uphold the rule of law and protect Nigeria’s democratic integrity.
The statement issued on Sunday in Lagos by the National Publicity Secretary of the group, Ufuoma Okiokpa, read: “To sustain the relative peace across the nation, the Nigeria Association for Public Opinion Research (NAFPOR) has called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and the DSS to make adequate security arrangements across every local government council secretariat in Edo State as the council chairmen are set to resume office on Monday, following the order by a Benin High Court, to avoid deaths and the burning down of government properties, as thugs are already positioned across the councils to prevent the chairmen from resuming.
“The leadership of Nigeria’s security agencies is duty-bound to provide security for the democratically elected council chairmen to safeguard democracy. Political actors with subversive agendas should not be allowed to set the state ablaze on Monday as was witnessed in Rivers State recently, where council secretariats were set on fire.”
