NewStats: 3,264,419 , 8,183,681 topics. Date: Wednesday, 11 June 2025 at 02:10 AM 2uq3s

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 able 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.

https://leaders.ng/2025/06/08/edo-govt-targets-rep-member-marcus-onobun-in-anti-cultism-crackdown-cso-coalition-alleges/

A Monday that can't spell Tuesday will always be a disaster any day, any time.

ActressAbimbola:
A Monday that can't spell Tuesday will always be a disaster any day, any time.

Hmmm

This what you get when you vote illiterates into elective positions.
This just the beginning, more to follow. He wants to destroy the opposition before the next round of fraudulent elections in Edo.

Their politics, their problem.

Useless governor...

Question: is the lawmaker guilty or not?

Whichever is the answer, you guys should go and sort out yourselves in the court.

Simple.

The coalition is DOA. Go to court if you feel the gaffer of the state is acting up.

The governor thinks his tenure would last forever, omoh.. No create enemies wey you no go fit dey waka freely again after your tenure.

Nearly all politicians in Edo belong to one frat or another. You can only call this move by the governor a witch-hunt if it is specifically aimed at opposition party .

But if the governor is really sincere in clamping down on cultists within the political circle, only a very few of APC, PDP and LP will come out clean

Hmmmm Rep Marcus Onobun You Better Stay Your Lane Ooo, These So Call Cultists Worked Effortlessly For The Governor & APC In The Last Election in Edo State, They Are Necessary Evil Tools For Dubious Politicians That So Call Tony Kabaka & His Boys Allegedly J Destroyed The House of One Lousy Senseless Idiots in Benin.

richiemcgold:
Nearly all politicians in Edo belong to one frat or another. You can only call this move by the governor a witch-hunt if it is only aimed at opposition party

Never has anyone attempted to bring that house down. I have never heard or seen an attempt before. The governor get mind sha.

That said, until we all become responsible and able, we can't move the state of affairs forward.

Abeg make dem no crack down on oloshos


They are my source of daily joy

Let the right thing be done

Antoeni:
Hmmmm Rep Marcus Onobun You Better Stay Your Lane Ooo, These So Call Cultists Worked Effortlessly For The Governor & APC In The Last Election in Edo State, They Are Necessary Evil Tools For Dubious Politicians That So Call Tony Kabaka & His Boys Allegedly J Destroyed The House of One Lousy Senseless Idiots in Benin.

But Kabaka couldn't do anything when their secretariat was being demolished.

I still don’t understand why this useless Apc national government led by Tinubu afe pretending that lots of youths are dying with this cultism’….It happens as much as it is only In Nigeria all over the world and if it’s happening outside the country it’s going to still be the Nigerians youths…it has gotten so so worst since 2015

The governor just dey rant.
Nor be Edo state I dey so?
We dey wait for am.
He go hear am.
Just wait and see.

They just want to box the opposition into a corner. Is it mandatory that everyone must be in APC?
Why the selective witch hunting?
You woe people to your matter, you don't coerce them.
Make una leave Rt Marcus Onobun alone nor be him be the cause of una failure

He promised 100 percent delivery by 2027..by hook and by crook

AfonjaPriest:
The governor just dey rant.
Nor be Edo state I dey so?
We dey wait for am.
He go hear am.
Just wait and see.

Are you one of them?

This is the disaster INEC and Tinubu with the help of police IGP forced on Edo people. He's an illiterate without experience or understanding of governance not even at local level let alone state. This is the result of forcing an incompetent man on the people so as to push him around on how to witch-hunt opposition to APC by force. If a party is good and the occupier of positions are doing well, do they need to intimidate and blackmail opposition to their party?

boringdraw:
This what you get when you vote illiterates into elective positions.
This just the beginning, more to follow. He wants to destroy the opposition before the next round of fraudulent elections in Edo.

These men they just mentioned are known leaders and sponsors of the activities of NBM, aka

Illiteracy dey worry dat okpebholo

ActressAbimbola:
A Monday that can't spell Tuesday will always be a disaster any day, any time.

ActressAbimbola:
A Monday that can't spell Tuesday will always be a disaster any day, any time.

You that can spell Wednesday, what have you achieved in your life.

PRESS STATEMENT

RE: DISCLAIMER ON ALLEGED CULT-RELATED ISSUES IN IRUEKPEN

My attention has been drawn to some unfounded and malicious rumours being circulated across various quarters, both online and offline, alleging my involvement or association with cult-related activities in Iruekpen. I, Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun, honorable member, representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal constituency categorically and unequivocally refute claims of any such association or involvement.

1. For the avoidance of doubt, I am not directly or indirectly involved in cultism nor have I ever ed, encouraged, financed, or participated in any activity that promotes it in any form whatsoever.

2. These allegations are not only false and baseless and unfounded but they also appear to be politically motivated, attempts to tarnish my hard-earned reputation, distract from the developmental strides we are making, and undermine the trust and confidence the good people of Iruekpen and beyond have reposed in me.

3. The last time I was in Edo state was in April 22nd, 2025. What I can deduce from this allegation is to lay a foundation for their wicked and clandestine plan to silence the opposition.

4. I am a firm believer in the rule of law, democratic principles, and peaceful co-existence. Throughout my public service career, as erstwhile Speaker of the Edo state house of Assembly, I have championed initiatives aimed at empowering our youth through education, skills acquisition, mentorship, and community development—initiatives that are fundamentally at odds with the menace of cultism and social vices.

5. Let it be on record that from reliable sources, I am informed that the clash arose between two(2) indigenes of Iruekpen community at a brothel within the cattle market and not any where close to my residence.

6. The security and safety of our people tops my priorities as a federal lawmaker, as no development sees the light of the day in an unsafe environment, thus, the recently commissioned Police station in Iruekpen community.

7. I call on the media and the general public to exercise due diligence and fact before spreading information capable of causing panic and reputation damage.

8. To those behind these malicious fabrications, I urge you to desist from the politics of character assassination. Our community deserves leaders and citizens who promote unity, progress, and constructive dialogue not divisiveness and falsehood.

9. I remain committed to the service of my people and to the peace, growth, and development of Iruekpen as my immediate community and the entire federal constituency at large. No amount of smear campaigns will deter me from fulfilling my mandate and standing for truth, justice, and good governance.

Thank you.

Rt. Hon. Marcus Onobun KSC,
Former Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly, and Member, Representing Esan West, Esan Central and Igueben Federal Constituency_

8/06/2025

TechBaron:


The governor thinks his tenure would last forever, omoh.. No create enemies wey you no go fit dey waka freely again after your tenure.

Abeg cultism don't finish Edo state, from head to toe. If it will eradicate cultism in Edo state, let him do it.
How can Benin fight cult war since 1999 nonstop.

That guy looks like man.

dfrost:
Question: is the lawmaker guilty or not?

Whichever is the answer, you guys should go and sort out yourselves in the court.

Simple.

The coalition is DOA. Go to court if you feel the gaffer of the state is acting up.

Question is, is tony kabaka a known cultist?
I thought charity begins at home, and judgement will start from the church, why start Ur charity from outside?

ponishah:


Abeg cultism don't finish Edo state, from head to toe. If it will eradicate cultism in Edo state, let him do it.
How can Benin fight cult war since 1999 nonstop.

Tony Kabaka. I hear you.

So let it be oooo.

yaki84:

Question is, is tony kabaka a known cultist?
I thought charity begins at home, and judgement will start from the church, why start Ur charity from outside?

Tony na confirmed black man. Hence I think it's an issue of conflict of interest. New warfare is money warfare. Money can tear family apart.

Him abi him no ?

This is totally unacceptable. APC should focus on development strides and human capacity....

Politics of vindictivenes will not work in Edo state.... Rather, the focus should be based on good governance