By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
A frontline leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Edo State, High Chief Don P. Ojemen (MFR), has condemned alleged attempts to intimidate opposition supporters and business owners in Esanland, warning that the people of the area would not be cowed by what he described as “imposed political thugs” and threats of political violence.
Ojemen, who is the Okodalo of Esanland and Leader of the NDC State Elders Caucus, made the statement while reacting to an alleged threat by the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Blessing Albert Ebhodaghe, to demolish a hotel in Ekpoma allegedly because the premises were used to host a political meeting by members of the NDC.
According to Ojemen, the alleged incident represents a disturbing assault on freedom of association, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression, which he described as fundamental pillars of democracy.
He alleged that a leaked audio recording contained remarks by the council chairman threatening to take action against businesses that provide venues for opposition political activities.
Ojemen said such conduct, if established, was unacceptable in a constitutional democracy, insisting that political disagreements should be settled through persuasion, debate and the ballot box rather than intimidation.
“We must call this exactly what it is: the desperate flailing of an illegitimate local leadership,” Ojemen declared.
He further alleged that the current local government chairmen in Edo State did not emerge through a process that reflected the genuine will of the electorate, describing the July 2026 local government elections as a “discredited” process.
However, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) said the July 11, 2026 election was conducted in accordance with the Edo State Local Government Electoral Law and relevant electoral regulations.
The commission subsequently declared candidates of the All Progressives Congress winners of all 18 chairmanship positions and 192 councillorship seats in the state.
Ojemen maintained that a leadership whose legitimacy was questioned by sections of the opposition could not resort to intimidation to suppress political participation.
“When leaders are selected rather than elected, they rule by coercion because they lack the mandate of the masses,” he said.
The Esan elder also warned against what he described as the growing culture of political intolerance in the state, arguing that elected public officials were custodians of public authority and not owners of the communities they govern.
“No individual, regardless of their transient political office, owns Esan land or Edo State,” he said.
“The Nigerian Constitution reigns supreme over the whims of any local government chairman or state governor. We demand an immediate halt to these primitive threats against business owners, commercial operators and political opponents in Ekpoma and beyond.”
Ojemen’s comments also drew attention to a controversy involving Governor Monday Okpebholo and NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi in 2025.
In July 2025, Okpebholo warned Obi not to visit Edo State without notifying him or obtaining security clearance, after Obi had visited Benin City.
The governor linked the visit to a subsequent resurgence of violence and deaths in the state.
The governor subsequently said his remarks were about security protocols rather than a threat, insisting that, as the state’s chief security officer, he had a responsibility to protect residents and visitors.
Ojemen, however, argued that such statements could have wider implications for political participation if interpreted by supporters at the grassroots as a licence for intimidation.
“When a state governor threatens the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of movement of a foremost national leader, it emboldens grassroots enforcers to act as tin-pot dictators in our local governments,” he said.
The NDC chieftain also linked the Esan West controversy to recent political tensions involving Obi and the NDC in other parts of the country.
He cited the September 2026 incident in Benue State, where Obi’s convoy was reportedly blocked while he was attempting to travel to Yelewata to sympathise with victims of previous violence.
The NDC described the incident as an attack and obstruction by suspected political thugs, while the Benue State Government denied involvement and rejected the allegation that government-linked individuals blocked Obi’s movement.
Ojemen said the incidents should concern Nigerians because, in his view, political competition must not degenerate into physical confrontation or restrictions on citizens’ participation in political activities.
He warned political actors against creating an atmosphere in which supporters of opposing parties would feel unsafe attending meetings, hosting political gatherings or expressing their views.
Ojemen, who described the Esan people as “dogged, resolute and deeply principled,” said the people of the area would resist any attempt to intimidate them politically.
“The Esan people are not a conquered people, and we will not be subjugated in our own land,” he said.
He nevertheless cautioned against actions capable of provoking confrontation, saying political actors should avoid conduct that could trigger unnecessary conflict.
“If this provocative conduct continues, it will predictably invite fierce resistance and retaliation from a populace that has been pushed to the wall,” he warned.
He stressed that the appropriate arena for political contest was the ballot box and not coercion, threats or violence.
“The 2027 elections will be decided by the ballot, not by bulldozers and bullets,” Ojemen declared.
The NDC elder called on the state government and local government authorities to respect citizens’ constitutional rights and ensure that businesses and individuals were not punished for associating with opposition political parties.
In a particularly forceful closing warning, Ojemen said he would continue to speak against what he described as attacks on the dignity and political rights of the Esan people.
“All these rascals need to be cautioned. The Esans are not cowards,” he said.
“As Okodalo of Esanland, I fight for the dignity of our people, who are not being served by this failed APC government. NDC Esan Senatorial Zone will not bow to imposed caps, city-boy intimidation or state-sanctioned violence.
He urged political leaders across party lines to de-escalate tensions and allow opposition parties to organise freely ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“Let them not set a fire that will consume.” Ojemen warned.
Ojemen said political power was ultimately subject to the will of the electorate, adding that no political office holder should mistake temporary authority for ownership of the people or their communities.
His remarks come against the backdrop of increasing political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties and political movements intensifying grassroots activities across Edo and other parts of the country.
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