PDP Party chairman shot, journalists arrested in Edo
Yesterday, Edo State boiled over at the Peoples Democratic Party’s parallel senatorial primaries (PDP).
Four journalists covering the faction of National Vice Chairman, Southsouth, Chief Dan Orbih, were detained by police.
Political thugs fired gunshots on occasion.
During the primary election, the PDP Chairman of Oredo Ward 5, Benin, Tunde Igbinoba, of Orbih’s group, was shot.
Many vehicles, including Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs), were demolished outside an event centre near the gate of Benin Airport, the venue of Orbih’s faction’s primaries, by supporters of Governor Godwin Obaseki, who were enraged that Orbih’s group had the upper hand.
Many key stakeholders in the PDP in Edo boycotted Obaseki’s factional primary election, which was held at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin. Instead, they went to Orbih’s faction’s primary.
Overzealous police officers, backed up by Edo Security Network personnel and state vigilance officers, arrested Deborah Coker, Senior Editor/Political Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN); Sunny Ohioze, reporter of Africa Independent Television (AIT); and his unnamed cameraman; and Ogbomo Osamuyi, radio correspondent of Independent Television (ITV) for covering Orbih’s faction.
Before being released, the journalists were accused of covering a “illegal” primary election and forced to submit statements.
Obaseki’s delegates chose Matthew Iduriyekemwen, the former Majority Leader of the Edo House of Assembly, to represent the Edo South Senatorial District.
He defeated incumbent Senator Mathew Uroghide, while Orbih’s faction chose Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, a member of the House of Representatives who represents the Oredo seat.
That is the latest Naija News Today on PDP Party chairman shot, journalists arrested in Edo
