Edo Gubernatorial Race: APC and Obaseki Clash Over Alleged Rigging Plot

Benin City — A fierce political clash has erupted between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State over serious allegations of election rigging ahead of the September 21 governorship election.

The APC Campaign Council has accused Governor Obaseki of plotting to manipulate the election by deploying fake security personnel. In a statement issued by its Media Consultant, Mr. Kassim Afegbua, the APC alleged that the governor planned to use the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) and had arranged for police and army uniforms to be worn by his operatives on election day.

APC’s Accusations and Alleged Plot

According to the APC, a meeting at the Edo State Government House on Monday involved an offer to certain individuals, which was reportedly declined. The APC claims that signs of the alleged plot include recent attacks on APC members in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area and Ewohimi following the party’s campaign events.

The APC statement reads: “We have been inundated with calls from well-meaning Edo electorates about the governor’s plan to use intimidation and harassment to disenfranchise voters. We previously raised concerns about the State Government’s procurement of arms. The Edo State government has reportedly been expanding the Edo Security Network to prepare them for rigging the election.”

The statement further alleges that the state government has begun producing police and military uniforms to be worn by ESSN members in an attempt to impersonate law enforcement officers. The APC has urged the Nigerian military and police, particularly the Inspector General of Police, to investigate these claims and prevent any potential election-related violence.

Obaseki’s Response: Allegations Denounced

In response, Mr. Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media Projects to Governor Obaseki, dismissed the APC’s allegations as baseless and a reflection of their own desperation. Osagie described the APC’s claims as “infantile” and accused the party of fabricating lies to distract from their own alleged attempts to rig the election.

“This is just another failed attempt by the APC to mislead the public and distract from their own devious plans,” Osagie stated. “The APC has been boasting about federal might, intimidating innocent citizens, and harassing opposition members. It is ironic that they are accusing others of the very tactics they are employing.”

Osagie further argued that the APC’s accusations are an attempt to cover up their own failures and to distract from the real issues at hand in the election campaign.

Political Climate in Edo State

The growing tension between the APC and Governor Obaseki highlights the volatile political climate in Edo State as the governorship election approaches. Both sides are gearing up for what promises to be a fiercely contested poll, with allegations of misconduct and manipulation adding to the already charged atmosphere.

As the election day draws near, all eyes will be on the actions of both the state government and the APC, with calls for transparency and fair play from various quarters. The situation remains fluid, and further developments are expected as the parties continue to trade accusations.

Total
0
Shares
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts