The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has strongly criticised the alleged assault, forced stripping and public humiliation of Dr Pedro Agbonifo Obaseki, a cousin of former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, describing the incident as a deliberate act of political violence.
In a statement issued late Sunday, the Edo State Publicity Secretary of the party, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, alleged that the attack was carried out by youths identified as supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
According to the PDP, the incident occurred on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at the football field of Uwa Primary School along Igbesamwan Street in Benin City, where Dr Obaseki had gone to play football.
Reports indicated that he was attacked over claims that he made disrespectful remarks about the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II. Video clips circulating on social media showed the victim being dragged away from the field by a group and forced in the direction of the Oba’s Palace.
Reacting, Osa-Ogbegie said the assault was not an impulsive reaction but a carefully coordinated attack.
“Dr Obaseki was accosted by a mob, harassed, threatened with death, stripped naked and forcibly dragged towards the Palace of the Oba of Benin,” he said. “The videos circulating leave no room for doubt. This was barbarism in its rawest form, evil, uncivilised and utterly repugnant.”
The party stressed that the conduct of the attackers was inconsistent with the values and traditions of Benin lKingdom, noting that the city is historically associated with dignity, order and respect for human life.
“Benin civilisation is renowned for dignity, restraint and respect for human worth. The hooligans who carried out this atrocity do not speak for Benin and are a disgrace to its culture,” the statement read.
According to the PDP, Dr Obaseki is a respected son of Benin whose academic work, media engagement and public advocacy have contributed positively to society, insisting that he posed no threat to public order.
The party also rejected attempts to justify the attack under the guise of protecting traditional institutions, stressing that no custom or palace sanctions mob action, torture or degrading treatment.
“If an offence is alleged, the police station, not the street, is the lawful venue. No mob, political gang or individual is above the law,” Osa-Ogbegie stated.
“This inversion of justice strikes at the heart of the rule of law,” the party said.
Describing the situation as a grave violation of the rule of law, the party called on the Edo State Commissioner of Police to immediately identify, arrest and prosecute all those involved, irrespective of political affiliation.
The party also accused the APC-led government in the state of encouraging political violence through silence, warning that such incidents further damage Edo State’s image and undermine public confidence.
Expressing sympathy to Dr Obaseki and his family, the PDP demanded a clear disassociation from the incident by traditional institutions, a public explanation from the state government and security agencies, and concrete steps to end political thuggery and restore law and order in the state.