The Peoples’ Assembly for Good Governance (PAGG) has accused the Edo State Government of using state institutions to intimidate opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group’s reaction followed the arraignment of Pa Joseph Iduoriyekemwen, 90-year-old father of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for Edo South Senatorial District, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, over alleged cultism, conspiracy, attempted murder and a land dispute.
The nonagenarian was reportedly arrested by armed policemen attached to the Edo State Police Command at about 4 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at his residence in Amagba, a suburb of Benin City.
He was subsequently arraigned alongside three other defendants before the Edo State Special Criminal Court on Monday, October 19, 2026. The court granted each of the four defendants bail in the sum of ₦1 million.
In a statement jointly signed by its National Chairman, Dr. Samson Isibor, and National Secretary, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nkama, PAGG condemned the arrest and arraignment, describing them as an attempt to silence opposition voices ahead of the elections.
The group said: “We condemn in the strongest terms the arrest and arraignment of Pa Iduoriyekemwen over alleged cultism, attempted murder and other false charges by policemen who invaded his residence in commando style, at a time when he was supposed to be
enjoying his sleep.“How could they allege that a 90-year-old great-grandfather is a cultist? How on earth could they have charged him to a Special Court that is not known to our Constitution?
“The arraignment by the police is nothing but the hand of Esau and the voice of Jacob. We make bold to say that the real target of the whole incident is the ADC senatorial candidate, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen”
PAGG warned that intimidation and victimisation would not silence opposition voices in Edo State, insisting that the people were prepared to take necessary action.
“This present government in Edo state is very intolerant to the opposition, whereas opposition in whatever form is the beauty of democracy.
“Let it be known that the good people of Edo can see the deceit of the current government and the pain it is inflicting on them. They know what to do and are ready to vote out bad governance, come 2027”, it added.
The group called on Governor Monday Okpebholo to intervene by directing the immediate withdrawal of the case against Pa Iduoriyekemwen, saying such a move would promote peace in the state.
“We, therefore, call on Governor Monday Okpebholo to order the immediate withdrawal of the case against Pa Iduoriyemkewen in the interest of peace, remembering that Hon Iduoriyekme has served this state meritorious,” the statement concluded.
