Demolition drama: Edo Govt marks PDP lawmaker’s home over cult allegations

By Jethro Ibileke

The Edo State Government has marked for demolition the residence of House of Representatives member Marcus Onobun, over allegations of hosting a cult meeting, an accusation he has strongly denied and labelled politically motivated.

Onobun, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker representing Esan West and Esan Central Federal Constituency, was alleged to have convened a gathering of suspected cultists at his home in Iruekpen, Esan West Local Government Area.

The allegations emerged amid a resurgence of cult-related violence in the community.

Government officials arrived at the lawmaker’s residence on Tuesday and marked the property for demolition.

Reacting, Onobun, who is also a former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, dismissed the claims as baseless and politically driven.

He challenged the state government to present evidence linking him to the clashes.

“These allegations are not only false and unfounded, but also clearly politically motivated to tarnish my hard-earned reputation,” Onobun declared.

“Let it be on record that, from reliable sources, the recent clash happened at a brothel near the cattle market, nowhere near my residence.”

He also pointed to what he described as a troubling pattern of targeting PDP leaders, citing the prior demolition threats against the hotel owned by PDP campaign Director-General Matthew Iduoriyekemwen and the home of party chieftain Chief Francis Inegbineki.

“No official communication, no investigation, no court ruling—yet my property has been marked. This is a law clearly aimed at silencing opposition voices,” he said.

In a final swipe, Onobun added: “If you admire what I bring to the table politically, seek my support—don’t weaponise state machinery to intimidate me.”