Atiku Blames Tinubu, Okpebholo, APC Over Attack On Comedian Porkupyne

Former Vice-President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has held President Bola Tinubu, Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) responsible for enabling what he described as a climate of violence following the alleged brutal attack on comedian Osagie Daniel Idedia, popularly known as Porkupyne, in Benin City, Edo State.

Atiku condemned the attack, alleging that the comedian was targeted for supporting his presidential ambition and for demanding good governance and accountability in Edo State.

The former vice-president stated this in a post on his X handle on Saturday, calling on the Edo State governor to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident and urging the police to investigate allegations of political involvement.

“I condemn in the strongest possible terms the brutal attack on comedian Osagie Daniel Idedia (aka Porkupyne), in Benin City, Edo State, and I state without equivocation that this was a politically motivated assault on a Nigerian citizen solely because he is my supporter and because he dared to demand good governance and accountability in Edo State,” Atiku said.

He added, “I hold Governor Monday Okpebholo @m_akpakomiza, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC leadership directly responsible for creating and tolerating a climate of impunity in which opposition supporters are beaten, maimed and terrorised.”

Atiku called on Okpebholo to explain what happened to the comedian, urging the governor to break his silence on the incident.

“Governor Okpebholo must explain what happened to Porkupyne, stop hiding behind official silence and prove that his government is not shielding political thugs,” he said.

The ADC presidential candidate also called on Tinubu and the APC leadership to stop what he described as the brutalisation of his supporters.

“President Tinubu and the APC must stop the brutalisation of my supporters and end the dictatorial arrogance of treating loyal opposition as enemies of the state,” Atiku stated.

He further demanded an urgent police investigation into the incident, particularly allegations that political actors were involved in the attack.

“The police must urgently investigate allegations of political involvement, identify the perpetrators and expose whoever sponsored or facilitated this cowardly attack,” he said.

Atiku added that no Nigerian should be subjected to violence because of their political affiliations or refusal to support a particular candidate or political party.

“No Nigerian should be brutalised for refusing to support Tinubu, the APC or any governor, and no political party has the right to beat, maim or terrorise its way to power,” he said.

The former vice-president also drew the attention of Amnesty International and foreign missions in Nigeria to the incident, urging them to monitor the treatment of opposition supporters as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

“I am formally drawing the attention of @amnesty @AmnestyNigeria and all foreign missions in Nigeria to this deeply troubling incident,” he said.

He urged the organisations and diplomatic missions to independently document politically motivated violence and demand accountability from the relevant authorities.

“They must closely monitor the treatment of opposition supporters, independently document politically motivated violence and demand accountability from the relevant authorities as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections,” Atiku added.

He demanded immediate justice for the comedian and protection for Nigerians exercising their political rights and freedom to express dissent peacefully.

“I demand immediate justice for Porkupyne and protection for every Nigerian exercising the right to political choice and peaceful dissent,” he said.

Atiku maintained that political power should not be used to intimidate citizens or compel them to support a particular party or candidate.

“Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians, not to the APC, not to Tinubu and not to any governor who believes power gives him the right to intimidate citizens into submission,” he said.

He urged the ruling party and the administrations of Tinubu and Okpebholo to demonstrate their commitment to ending political violence.

“The APC must stop the brutalisation of my supporters now, and Governor Okpebholo and President Tinubu must demonstrate that their administrations will neither tolerate political violence nor shield anyone responsible for it,” Atiku stated.