PDP Chieftain flees Nigeria after death threats, assaults over loyalty to Ighodalo

Fresh facts have emerged on why Mr. Eguavoen Osarumwen Evans, the Ward Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ward 06, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area of Edo State, fled Nigeria with his family under dire circumstances.Reliable sources confirmed that Evans, a staunch PDP member for over 15 years, became the target of a vicious campaign of intimidation, physical assault, and threats to his life, following his unwavering support for Dr.

Asue Ighodalo, the PDP governorship candidate in the September 21, 2024, election.Evans had publicly rejected pressures to abandon Ighodalo and defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), drawing the ire of powerful political elements. His refusal to align with APC operatives during the elections reportedly angered interests determined to force his loyalty by any means necessary.



According to insiders, he received a chilling ultimatum—defect to the APC within 30 days or face death along with his family. The threat, delivered by individuals who openly boasted of their cult affiliations and political immunity, marked the beginning of his ordeal.In a bid to seek protection, Evans lodged formal complaints with the police.

However, instead of safeguarding him, he was nearly detained on trumped-up charges, allegedly orchestrated by the same political forces behind the threats. He narrowly escaped unlawful detention through the swift intervention of his wife and some PDP ward leaders.The situation reached a terrifying peak on November 28, 2024, when Evans, accompanied by his lawyer, visited the police station to follow up on his complaint.

He was ambushed shortly afterwards by suspected APC thugs, allegedly in collusion with rogue security agents. In a brutal assault witnessed by his wife and children, he was beaten severely and hospitalized for more than a week.After his release, Evans sought refuge at his mother’s residence, hoping to evade further attacks.

However, his assailants tracked him there as well. In his absence, they harassed his mother and children, ransacked the home, and issued fresh threats to kill his children if he did not abandon hiding and publicly renounce his political loyalty.Evans’ properties have since been vandalized multiple times, and his family remains deeply traumatized.

Despite the relentless persecution, he has remained committed to Dr. Ighodalo and the ideals of internal democracy in the PDP.But with no sign of state protection and fear for his life growing by the day, Evans was left with only one option—to leave Nigeria.

In a message shortly before his departure, he stated: “I have exhausted all lawful means to protect myself and my family. It is clear that our lives are no longer safe here. I had no option but to seek safety abroad.

”The incident raises serious questions about the safety of political actors and the rising tide of politically motivated violence ahead of the 2024 governorship election fallout in Edo State.The post PDP Chieftain flees Nigeria after death threats, assaults over loyalty to Ighodalo appeared first on Nigerian NewsDirect..