Scores Injured as Violence Erupts at Edo APC Rally

At least 15 people were reportedly injured in Benin City following clashes between supporters of rival factions of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid controversy surrounding a planned mega rally.

The rally was organised to receive former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, and his supporters into the APC.

Those injured in the violence were taken to the new Central Hospital in Benin for treatment.

The incident occurred against the backdrop of a deepening leadership crisis within the Edo APC, with factions loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki and then APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole locked in a political dispute.

There was also a heavy security presence around the APC state secretariat on Airport Road amid concerns that supporters of acting state chairman, retired Colonel David Imuse, might attempt to take control of the premises.

Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, accompanied by other government officials, visited some of the injured persons at the hospital.

The victims were said to have sustained injuries during clashes involving supporters of the rival APC factions as Oshiomhole arrived in Benin ahead of the planned rally.

Reacting to the violence, Oshiomhole appealed to APC members to remain calm and avoid retaliation.

He said he was surprised that some party leaders were resisting the planned reception for politicians defecting from the PDP to the APC.

According to him, any political party should ordinarily welcome new members, particularly influential politicians who had previously contested against it.

“I know you are hurt with what we are passing through here, but I want to plead with you, don’t be provoked,” Oshiomhole told supporters.

He alleged that some individuals opposed to the rally were responsible for the violence, though the claim was not independently established.

Oshiomhole insisted that the internal dispute should not be allowed to destroy the APC in Edo State.

“APC is our house and we will not destroy it, neither are we going to allow anybody to destroy it,” he said.

He urged supporters not to fight back, stressing that avoiding loss of life was more important than proceeding with the rally under tense circumstances.

Oshiomhole also said there were conflicting reports regarding police approval and security arrangements for the event.

According to him, he had initially been informed that the Inspector-General of Police directed the Edo State Commissioner of Police to provide security for the rally, but later received information that the event had been cancelled.

He promised to clarify the situation with the relevant authorities before deciding on the next step.

Oshiomhole maintained that even if the rally could not proceed immediately, it would eventually be held because party members had a constitutional right to freedom of association.

He again appealed to supporters to remain peaceful and avoid actions that could worsen the political crisis.

The planned rally came amid an escalating struggle for control of the Edo APC, with the factions divided over the party’s leadership and the political direction of the state ahead of the next governorship election.