The Edo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused the Governor of the State and Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the September election, Godwin Obaseki, of plotting to subvert the forthcoming election.
The State APC claims that the Governor plans to engage in violent attacks and illegal detention of its Leaders and members.
Hon. Patrick Obahiagbon, the Vice Chairman, Media and Publicity Committee, of the APC National Campaign Council, made the accusation in a Press Conference, on Sunday.
He alleged that plans have been hatched by the Edo State Government under Governor Obaseki, to detain a former Governor of the State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, over trumped-up charges, on the eve of the election, and also set fire on the farm of a Billionaire Businessman, Captain Hosa Okunbo, in continuation of the alleged assault on his reputation and businesses, for refusing to back the second-term agenda of Governor Godwin Obaseki.
He blamed Governor Obaseki and the PDP, for the violence that broke out on Saturday, in Benin City, which led to the hospitalisation of multiple persons for gunshot wounds, accusing the Governor of setting conscripted thugs and cultists on protesters who expressed their rejection of him, and his alleged “invitation of tax-collectors who are feasting on the State’s treasury”.
Hon. Obahiagbon noted: “Worse still, information have also reached us from sources in Obaseki’s government, who are but disillusioned with his nefarious acts, that the Governor has plotted and perfected a criminally appalling initiative, aimed at subverting the will of the people.
“On the back of conscripting renowned cultists and providing them official cover and funding for wanton violence under the guise of Aides appointments, Mr. Godwin Obaseki is planning to use Covid-19 as a ruse to neuter grassroots Leaders of our party, the APC, on the eve of the Gubernatorial election, by abducting and detaining them in Isolation Centres; this way, disenfranchising them and forestalling the political force they would deliver, in pursuant of APC’s victory.
“Having pellucidly read the handwriting on the wall that he faces a monumental defeat, and an electoral opprobrium on the 19th of September, Obaseki aims to illegally strike what he deems the head and important political Leaders of our party, with the hopes of subverting the election.
“Names of prominent Leaders of the APC, have been compiled, to be dealt with, intimidated, harassed, terrorised, physically assaulted, and lacerated by State-sponsored goons.”
He condemned the “anomalies and acts of political desperadoism”, as “direct affronts on the country’s Constitution and the rule of law”, while also appealing to the Police, Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and other relevant Stakeholders, to prevail on the Governor, and ensure that he allows the rule of law and a level democratic playing field to hold supreme, between now and the end of the Edo State Governorship election.