The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has accused the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of resorting to violence, lawlessness and disregard for the rule of law with the intent to plunge the state into anarchy ahead of the September 19, 2020 gubernatorial election in the state.
Obaseki, who spoke during an interactive session with journalists in Benin City, said the APC in the state has resorted to violence to cause panic among voters in order to action their plan of rigging the poll.
The governor said propaganda, lies and intimidation are part of the strategy of the APC to create fear and scare the electorate from casting their votes on election day.
He however assured that his administration will continue to appeal to the federal government to create a level playing field for all contestants in the September 19, 2020 governorship election.
He noted that despite the achievements and successes recorded by his administration in all sectors of the state, some selfish politicians were hellbent on derailing the gains recorded by the government in the last three years and eight months.
Obaseki said: “Their first plan is to invest in vicious propaganda; put fear in people; intimidate and scare them from coming out on election day to exercise their voting rights.
“We will continue to appeal to the federal government. We don’t have the police or military under our control; these are all federal government agencies. The APC is planning to use these tools to intimidate us; you can see it happening already.
“They come out in total disregard for existing laws, court orders and pronouncements; they behave as if there is no law. They behave so lawlessly because they believe nothing will happen and if we dare to challenge them they are ready to plunge the state into anarchy and force the postponement of the election. They believe they don’t have anything to lose as they are already down.”
Obaseki stressed that his administration will not relent in its efforts at maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Edo people, noting: “We will not be responsible for killing those we ought to be protecting.”
He further appealed to the international community, electoral observers, concerned citizens and stakeholders to appeal to the opposition party to let peace reign in the state and let Edo people express themselves on election day.
“We are in government and can’t be the one killing our people. If they want to come into government, they should know and understand what the people want; persuade them to believe and vote for them at the poll,” he urged.
