The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday accused youth members of the All Progressives Congress of carrying out the assault and public stripping of Dr Pedro Obaseki, a cousin of former Governor Godwin Obaseki.
In a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Dan Osa-Ogbegie, the PDP alleged that the APC youths had become a “recurring decimal” in acts of assault, intimidation and political violence across the state, particularly in Benin City, since last year.
The party condemned the incident and described it as premeditated and barbaric.
However, the APC dismissed the allegations, accusing the PDP of politicising the incident.
In a statement by its Acting Publicity Secretary, Victor Osehobo, the APC said the PDP had rushed to conclusions despite ongoing police investigations.
The state police command said an investigation into the incident had commenced, adding that perpetrators would be arrested and prosecuted.
The command Police Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, stated that the police officers attached to the Oba of Benin palace took Obaseki to the Oba Market Police Station, where the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, visited him three times before he was told to go.
