Babatunji Wusu –
Key Points:
– Governor Obaseki alleges plans to rig the upcoming election in favor of the APC candidate.
– He accuses the police of complicity, particularly regarding the use of police helicopters in opposition campaigning.
– The Governor highlights ignored intelligence about arms importation and the housing of thugs in the state.
– He calls for a free and fair electoral process, emphasizing the need for public trust in security agencies.
– Obaseki reports instances of intimidation and unlawful detentions affecting citizens’ ability to participate in the election.
The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed serious concerns regarding alleged plans to rig the upcoming governorship election in favor of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo. During a discussion with Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Obaseki revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is aware of the plot to undermine the electoral process.
The Governor accused the police of complicity, citing their approval for the APC candidate to campaign using a police helicopter. He criticized the police for ignoring intelligence provided by his government regarding the importation of arms and thugs into the state, stating that no action was taken on this crucial information.
Obaseki reaffirmed his commitment to a free and fair election, where the citizens of Edo State can freely choose their next governor. He stated, “Some actors in the political scene do not seem to understand the national security implications of this Edo election. The behavior of some individuals is unbecoming of those who have sworn to uphold the law.”
He further emphasized the importance of public trust in security agencies, urging them to ensure that citizens can vote without intimidation. “When you have a situation where citizens are being intimidated by people in uniform, it breeds a lack of confidence,” he said. He recounted instances where citizens were allegedly detained and intimidated, including reports of police activity at 3 a.m. to arrest individuals.
Obaseki criticized the use of police resources by the opposition, asserting, “When the opposition candidate is campaigning with a police helicopter, it creates an uneven playing field. This is not right.” He lamented the lack of response from authorities regarding the intelligence on arms movements and thuggery, stressing that while political contests can be contentious, they should not result in violence.
