By James Ogbo
In the turbulent political landscape of Edo State, Nigeria, Kelly Obakpolor’s life took a dramatic turn, marked by fear, violence, and an unyielding struggle for survival. Kelly, a dedicated Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ward 6, Edo State, stood as a prominent figure in the party’s grassroots mobilization efforts. His father, Mr. Victor Obakpolor, was a high-ranking APC chieftain and a vocal political stalwart who played a pivotal role in the political crisis that led to the defection of the former governor, Godwin Obaseki, from the APC to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The seeds of persecution were sown in 2018 when Mr. Victor Obakpolor became an obstacle to certain powerful interests within the APC. His unwavering stance against corruption and political manipulation earned him powerful enemies. On May 5, 2021, tragedy struck. Kelly and his parents survived a brutal attack allegedly orchestrated by PDP assailants. The attack was relentless, but the family narrowly escaped. However, their relief was short-lived. The following day, Kelly’s mother was brutally murdered by the same assailants in an act of calculated vengeance. Her death shattered the family, leaving Kelly and his father devastated and vulnerable.
Fearing for their lives, Kelly and his father went into hiding, but their pursuers remained relentless. In a horrifying escalation, thugs suspected to be acting on orders from Kelly’s political adversaries burned down the Obakpolor family home, believing the two were inside. Fortunately, they managed to evade death once again.
Kelly also has two daughters whose lives are in danger. Kelly’s enemies remained relentless; they declared Kelly and his two daughters wanted. They placed a staggering 60 million Naira ransom on their heads. The attackers made it clear that they would stop at nothing to capture and kill Kelly and his daughters, further complicating the already perilous situation. As of now, Kelly and his daughters are nowhere to be found, their whereabouts shrouded in uncertainty.
The fallout resulted in a politically motivated case against Kelly’s father, culminating in a controversial verdict that sentenced him to 13 years in prison on September 7, 2024. Victor Obakpolor’s sentence of 13 years imprisonment serves as a grim reminder of the cost of defying the political power of the ruling part in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Kelly has remained in hiding, his whereabouts unknown. The threats against him persist, and his name remains on a wanted list fueled by political vendettas. Kelly story is not just one of survival but also a haunting reflection of the dangers faced by those who dare to challenge the powerful forces within Nigeria’s political system.
