A coalition of civil society organisations, COSCO, has accused the Edo State Government of launching a politically motivated campaign under the guise of enforcing the state’s new anti-cultism law; with Hon. Marcus Onobun, the state’s only PDP member in the House of Representatives, emerging as the latest target.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the coalition, led by Comrade Jude Ubaka, alleged that the government has marked Onobun’s country home in Iruekpen for demolition, citing unproven claims that the property serves as a base for cult activities.
“This is not law enforcement. This is persecution dressed up as due process,” said Comrade Ubaka. “The Governor appears to be using the anti-cultism law to settle political scores and silence critical voices within the opposition.”
The group warned that using a law meant to curb cult violence as a political weapon risks undermining the very principles of justice and rule of law. COSCO called on the Edo State Governor to subject any allegations of criminality to legal scrutiny, not unconstitutional executive discretion.
“If there is credible evidence against Hon. Onobun or anyone else, then let the courts decide. That is how democracy works,” the statement read.
Hon. Onobun’s targeting comes on the heels of similar threats allegedly issued against other prominent PDP chieftains. COSCO pointed to Governor-backed threats to demolish the hotel of Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and the private residence of Chief Francis Inegbeneki, both accused of hosting cult gatherings. Chief Inegbeneki has since defected to the ruling APC, a move COSCO says may have been forced by intimidation.
But the coalition says what’s most damning is the Governor’s apparent double standard. COSCO noted that Tony “Kabaka” Adun, a self-confessed member of the cult and the state youth leader of the Governor’s party, was recently appointed as a state revenue collection consultant.
“Justice cannot be selective,” COSCO stated. “The Governor cannot claim to be fighting cultism while elevating known cultists within his inner circle. If he is truly sincere about eradicating cultism, he should start by cleaning his own house.”
The coalition urged democratic institutions, the media, and the wider public to hold the Edo State Government accountable and resist what it described as an emerging pattern of political repression dressed as crime fighting.
As of press time, neither the Edo State Government nor Hon. Marcus Onobun had issued an official comment.
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