The Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State, Blessing Albert Ebhodaghe, has allegedly threatened to demolish a hotel where members of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) hold political meetings.

Ebhodaghe, popularly known as BB, was allegedly heard issuing the threat in a leaked audio recording currently circulating in Edo State.

In the recording, the speaker, who is alleged to be the council chairman, warned hotel owners and other business operators against providing venues for meetings organised by the opposition party.

The speaker reportedly said the government would take action against any property owner who allowed the NDC to use his or her facility for political activities.Nigerian newspaper subscription

The voice is heard saying, “The government will bring down any building or business of any person that attends any NDC meeting in his hotel.”

The speaker further claimed that the land on which the affected hotel was constructed belonged to the government.

We (the government) own the land and we would show it soon,” the speaker said.

When asked in the recording whether the statement should be understood as an official threat from the government, the voice allegedly responded, “Yes, it’s a threat from the government and me.”

The authenticity of the recording could not be independently established as of the time of filing this report. It was, however, being widely circulated on social media on Friday.

Recall that the council chairman, Ebhodaghe was involved in another controversy over alleged political directives issued to commercial drivers operating within Esan West.Nigerian political news

In a video that circulated earlier this week, the council chairman was seen at a motor park reportedly directing commercial drivers to identify with the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He was also heard warning against the use of materials associated with other political parties at the park.

Ebhodaghe said he was supporting  Governor Monday Okpebholo’s political mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 election and linked the campaign to the state government’s development activities.

He also reportedly said drivers wearing caps or materials belonging to another party could face restrictions at the park.Nigerian newspaper subscription

However, Attempts to obtain Ebhodaghe’s reaction to the alleged demolition threat were unsuccessful.

He did not respond to messages seeking clarification on the recording, while calls placed to his phone were not answered as of the time of filing this report.

It remains unclear whether the state government was aware of, authorised or endorsed the alleged threat contained in the recording.

The allegation is also significant because the reported warning was not limited to party members.

The threat, as contained in the recording, appeared to target business owners who provide venues for opposition political activities.

This has raised questions about whether private businesses and property owners could face government action because they allow political meetings to take place on their premises.

The NDC has not been identified as having committed any offence in connection with the alleged meeting at the hotel.

The development in Edo comes against the backdrop of other recent allegations of disruption involving the NDC in different parts of the country.

In Enugu State, the party recently reported an attack on members during its monthly ward meeting in Obuofia, Nkanu West Local Government Area.

The incident reportedly occurred at Ihuani Awkunanaw, the ancestral home of the Awkunanaw people and hometown of the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa.

According to the party, armed hoodlums allegedly invaded the meeting venue and opened fire while members were gathered for their monthly ward meeting.

Eight NDC members were identified by the party as having sustained gunshot injuries. They were Onovo Donald Ekene, Ngene Godwin Madueke, Ogbodo Gloria, Onovo Victor, Maduabuchi Ugwu, Nnaemeka Nelson, Chinonso Nwagbara and Obinna Daniel Owo.

The party also alleged that canopies, chairs and other political materials were destroyed during the incident.

In a statement issued through Ohaa’s media aide, Sampson Ukwu, the party described the incident as “a clear act of political thuggery and an attempt to intimidate members of the opposition through violence.”

The NDC further alleged that similar disruptions had occurred during political gatherings in Akpugo and Obe wards in Nkanu West.

The party called on security agencies to investigate the incident and identify those responsible.

The Enugu State Police Command also confirmed that an NDC meeting in the area was disrupted by armed hoodlums who allegedly fired sporadically, leaving some attendees injured.

Police said officers were deployed to the affected locations following reports of the incidents.