Atiku Blows Hot Over Attack On Edo Comedian! Accuses Tinubu, Okpebholo And APC Of Allowing Climate Of Fear
By Passman Akpos
Former Vice President Demands Justice For Osagie Daniel Idedia, Known As Porkupyne, Calls For Police Investigation And Urges Amnesty International, Foreign Missions To Monitor Political Violence Ahead Of 2027 Elections
Former Vice President, Presidential Candidate of ADC, Atiku Abubakar has condemned the reported attack on comedian Osagie Daniel Idedia, popularly known as Porkupyne, in Benin City, Edo State, alleging that the incident was politically motivated.
Atiku, in a statement, alleged that the comedian was attacked because of his support for him and his demand for good governance and accountability in Edo State.
The former vice president accused Governor Monday Okpebholo, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of creating an atmosphere in which opposition supporters could allegedly be subjected to intimidation and violence.
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He called on the Edo State governor to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.
Atiku also urged President Tinubu and the APC leadership to take steps to end the alleged harassment and brutalisation of opposition supporters.
“The police must urgently investigate allegations of political involvement, identify the perpetrators and expose whoever sponsored or facilitated this cowardly attack,” Atiku said.
He maintained that no Nigerian should face violence for supporting a political candidate, criticising a government or exercising the constitutional right to political choice.
Atiku Calls For Police Investigation
The presidential candidate called on the Nigeria Police Force to conduct an urgent and impartial investigation into the reported attack on Porkupyne.
He urged investigators to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, identify those involved and determine whether anyone sponsored or facilitated the alleged assault.
Atiku also challenged Governor Okpebholo to demonstrate that his administration would not protect individuals responsible for political violence.
He further called on President Tinubu and the APC leadership to ensure that political disagreements did not translate into attacks against citizens supporting opposition parties.
However, Atiku’s allegations of political motivation and responsibility remain claims made in his statement. An independent investigation would be necessary to establish the circumstances of the attack and determine whether any political actors were involved.
Atiku Appeals To Amnesty International, Foreign Missions
Expressing concern about the implications of the incident for Nigeria’s democratic environment, Atiku said he was formally drawing the attention of Amnesty International and foreign diplomatic missions in the country to the reported attack.
He urged international organisations and diplomatic representatives to monitor the treatment of opposition supporters, document incidents of politically motivated violence and demand accountability from the relevant authorities.
According to him, such monitoring is particularly important as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.
Atiku argued that protecting citizens who hold opposing political views is essential to ensuring that Nigerians can participate freely in the democratic process without fear of intimidation.
He called for immediate justice for Porkupyne and adequate protection for Nigerians exercising their rights to political participation and peaceful dissent.
2027 Elections And Concerns Over Political Violence
The incident has raised questions about the safety of political supporters and critics of government policies as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Atiku insisted that political affiliation should not determine whether citizens enjoy protection under the law.
” Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, not to the APC, not to Tinubu and not to any governor who believes power gives him the right to intimidate citizens into submission,” he said.
He also urged the APC to end what he described as the brutalisation of his supporters, insisting that political power must not be used to silence dissenting voices.
The former vice president concluded by demanding that the authorities demonstrate their commitment to preventing political violence and holding anyone responsible for such acts accountable.
Questions Authorities Must Answer
The reported attack has prompted several questions that require clarification:
- What exactly happened to comedian Osagie Daniel Idedia, popularly known as Porkupyne, in Benin City?
- Has a formal complaint been lodged with the police, and has an investigation commenced?
- Have the alleged attackers been identified or arrested?
- Is there credible evidence linking the incident to political differences or any political organisation?
- What measures will the Edo State Government take to protect opposition supporters and other citizens from politically motivated violence?
Answers to these questions would help establish the facts surrounding the incident and determine the appropriate legal response.
As of the time of this report, the allegations contained in Atiku’s statement have not been independently established in this report. Responses from Governor Monday Okpebholo, President Tinubu, the APC and the police would be important in providing further clarification.
Tarakirivoice Newspaper Enterprise will continue to follow developments surrounding the reported attack and any official investigation into the incident.
