Obaseki’s Aide Exposes Plot to Arrest PDP Chieftains, Deploy Militants, and Impersonate Security Personnel
BENIN CITY – The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised alarm over alleged plans by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disrupt the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.
At a press conference held in Benin City on September 15, 2024, Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, revealed that the party’s intelligence had uncovered several plots by the APC to undermine the electoral process.
According to Nehikhare, “You cannot wish Edo well and support someone you do not believe in. We have called this press conference today to draw the attention of our country’s leadership, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and diplomatic corps to findings of our intelligence which we have uncovered ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.”
Nehikhare listed several alleged plans by the APC, including the indiscriminate arrest of PDP chieftains, deployment of militants to disrupt election materials and officials, and impersonation of security personnel to intimidate voters.
He specifically mentioned that a House of Representatives member had engaged 200 militants to disrupt the election in the riverine axis of the state, while Senator Adams Oshiomhole had planned to use the Commander of Mopol 60 to provide cover for electoral malpractice in polling units around his home in Iyamho.
“We are by this press conference calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to order the security agencies, especially the police to stop the attacks on unarmed and harmless Edo people and Nigerians who have done nothing wrong except that they want a free, fair and credible election so that they can vote for the candidate of their choice,” Nehikhare said.
He also appealed to the international community to prevail upon President Tinubu to safeguard the democratic process in Edo State.
“We also call on the International Community, Embassies of the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union as well as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU) to prevail on President Tinubu so that the electorate in Edo can cast their votes in favour of whoever they believe is better to lead their State for the next four years,” Nehikhare added.
