Obaseki plotting to rig Edo poll – APC
The All Progressives Congress, APC, has informed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the military authorities over alleged secret move by Gov. Godwin Obaseki, using the Edo security personnel to rig the incoming September 21, 2024 governorship election.
The party called on the security agents to act quickly, “even if it comes to banning the Edo Security Network and also arresting those illegally in possession of firearms altogether.”
The Director Media, of the Edo State APC campaign council, Prince Kassim Afegbua, disclosed this in a statement he issued in Benin City on Tuesday.
Afegbua also claimed that the Edo State government has been recruiting more men in the security outfit, with the sole motive of empowering them for intimidation and underhand assignment.
He alleged that the party has been inundated with calls from well meaning Edo residents of the state government’s game plan to use threat, intimidation and harassment to disenfranchise Edo electorates from exercising their right at the elections.
He said, “We are aware that the State Government has now started producing Police Uniforms and Military Uniforms which the members of the Edo Security Network will be made to wear on the said day of the election,
They (vigilantes) will then disguise as real police officers and military personnel; to assist them in carrying out their pernicious assignment.”
Kassim further recalled that APC campaigns in Akoko-Edo were attacked a couple of days back, while other supporters, and functionaries were also attacked at Ewohinmi after a successful campaign outing.
While declaring that the party was for peaceful process of election, Kassim said: “Nobody, no matter how highly placed, or in whatever station will intimidate, repress, or withstand us.”
The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Chris Nehikhare, could not be reached at the time of going to press