Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state have condemned the alleged attack on a popular comedian and Master of Ceremonies, Mr Osagie Idieda, by suspected hoodlums.
DAILY POST reports that the comedian, popularly known as MC Porkupyne, was reportedly attacked by hoodlums while returning from the birthday ceremony of the wife of an All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The victim was reported to be a critic of the APC-led government in the country.
In a statement personally signed by the former governor and made available to newsmen in Benin City, Obaseki pledged to defray the victim's medical bills.
He also called for the arrest of the suspected assailants.
The statement read in part: “I strongly condemn the attack on Mr Osagie Daniel Idieda, popularly known as MC Porkupyne. This reprehensible act of violence is unacceptable and must not be allowed to pass without a thorough investigation and appropriate consequences for those responsible.
“Electoral violence is an ill wind that blows no one any good. No political ambition, disagreement or electoral contest is worth the injury, suffering or loss of life of any citizen.
“Violence and intimidation have no place in a democracy, and we must collectively resist every attempt to undermine the safety of our people and the integrity of our democratic process,” he said.
Obaseki called on all relevant state institutions and law enforcement agencies responsible for maintaining law and order to act swiftly in investigating the incident, identifying and apprehending the perpetrators, and ensuring that they are brought to justice.
He also urged the authorities to demonstrate the resolve and impartiality required to protect citizens and uphold the rule of law, irrespective of the identities, political affiliations or interests of those involved.
He noted that Nigerians could not afford to normalise violence as a feature of political and electoral engagements.
The former governor said attacks or intimidation linked to political activities threatened not only the victims but also the freedom of every citizen to participate in the democratic process without fear.
He added that such acts, if left unchecked, could embolden criminality, erode public confidence in institutions and create conditions that could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
He therefore urged political leaders, their supporters and all stakeholders to exercise restraint, reject violence and ensure that political differences were resolved through lawful and democratic means.
“Our collective commitment must be to peace, justice and the protection of human lives, not the promotion of fear, division and lawlessness.
“I stand in solidarity with MC Porkupyne and wish him a speedy and complete recovery.
“Beyond condemning this attack, I am committed to contributing towards the cost of his medical treatment to help ease the burden on him and his family during this difficult period,” he stated.
Obaseki added that Edo State must not descend into a climate of fear and electoral violence.
He said the people must insist on accountability, demand justice for victims and ensure that every citizen could exercise their democratic rights without the threat of assault or intimidation.
He added that the protection of lives, enforcement of the law and preservation of peace were responsibilities that the government must take seriously.
On its part, the Edo State chapter of the PDP described the attack as barbaric and unacceptable, adding that no citizen deserved to be attacked, brutalised or silenced for expressing an opinion or being perceived to hold a particular political view.
A statement by the state chairman of the party, Nosa Ogieva-Okunbor, said that in a democracy, freedom of expression was a right, not a crime.
“Politics should be a contest of ideas, not a battle of fists and weapons. Disagreements are an essential part of democracy, but they must be resolved through dialogue, debate and lawful engagement—not violence, intimidation or the shedding of innocent blood.
“Edo State belongs to all of us. No political ambition is worth a human life, and no disagreement should ever become a death sentence.
“Let us choose dialogue over violence, tolerance over intimidation, and democracy over the rule of thuggery,” he added.
Ogieva-Okunbor, however, called on the Edo State Police Command and all relevant security agencies to conduct a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the incident.
“We further demand the immediate identification, arrest and prosecution of everyone found culpable, including not only those who physically carried out the attack but also any sponsors, financiers and masterminds, irrespective of their political influence or social standing.
“The safety of MC Porkupyne, his family and other citizens who may be vulnerable to politically motivated attacks must also be guaranteed,” he stated.
Obaseki, PDP condemn attack on Edo comedian by suspected hoodlums