2 months ago
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The Edo State Government has raised alarm over an alleged plot by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to thwart a free and fair gubernatorial election in the state on September 21, 2024.
Naija News reports that the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, made this known on Monday.
Nehikhare clarified recent comments made by Governor Godwin Obaseki, at a stakeholders meeting on July 21, 2024, stating, “If a free and fair election is not allowed to hold sway in Edo State on September 21, 2024, it will trigger a major crisis in Nigeria.”
He accused APC of attempting to negatively spin Obaseki’s remarks to cause violence in the upcoming election.
The commissioner cited recent incidents of violence allegedly perpetrated by APC supporters, including an attack at the Benin Airport on July 18, which resulted in the death of a police officer and destruction of property.
He also mentioned an assault on the Nigerian Bar Association Secretariat, where lawyers were reportedly intimidated and harassed.
Nehikhare urged residents to continue their lawful activities without fear and called on the Nigerian Police to apprehend the identified perpetrators of recent violence, stressing that the government would provide video evidence from its surveillance system to aid police investigations.
The statement added, “As they say, the morning shows the day, and the APC has clearly shown their plan for the September 21 governorship election in the State, which is to cause mayhem, make the State ungovernable, and take advantage of the chaos to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election.
“This note of caution is even more appropriate with the ominous threat of a nationwide protest with the potential to degenerate into a widespread breakdown of law and order.
“While we urge all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses without fear, we call on the Nigerian Police to do its job and apprehend the hoodlums, most of whom have been positively identified and captured in videos, carrying firearms at the location of the crisis.
“The Edo State Government, through its robust security video surveillance, is ready to supply these videos taken in real-time to help the Police in their investigation.”
Rachel Okporu is an entertainment and lifestyle journalist with years of experience in the industry. She is a graduate of Linguistics and Communication Studies. Likes surfing the Internet and making new friends.
