Leading up to the Edo State governorship election, certain leaders within the All Progressives Congress (APC) asserted on Tuesday that recent actions by Governor Godwin Obaseki and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders indicated a sense of panic within their ranks.
In a statement, these leaders accused Governor Obaseki, the PDP in the state, and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, of orchestrating a smear campaign against the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
Members of the APC Vanguard, these leaders claimed that the sudden desperation exhibited by the PDP, Obaseki, and Ighodalo stems from their apprehension of a potential resounding defeat in the forthcoming governorship elections.
The Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria recently convened a press conference and lodged a petition with various authorities, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), regarding allegations that Okpebholo had publicly dispersed naira notes at an event.
In a statement endorsed by David Osarobo, the national coordinator of the Vanguard, the leaders expressed bewilderment at the tactics employed by “desperate Obaseki and his political protege, Ighodalo,” resorting to character defamation for political gain.
Osarobo emphasized that members of the civil society were heavily coerced to tarnish Okpebholo’s reputation, whose popularity has surged since becoming the APC candidate.
He remarked, “Godwin Obaseki, the beleaguered PDP, and their inexperienced candidate, Ighodalo, have chosen to engage in baseless accusations. They are aware of their impending electoral defeat and are anxious.”
“They are scavenging for fabricated news and nonexistent allegations to smear Okpebholo and deceive the people of Edo.”
“However, we are aware of their schemes. They can already sense their impending defeat. The people of Edo have made their decision, and no amount of state-sponsored intimidation will alter it.”
“In Edo State, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC, progress is evident. The Federal Government is undertaking infrastructure projects in Edo Central, Edo North, and Edo South. The APC-led Federal Government plans to implement additional social welfare initiatives in Edo State.”
“This underscores the necessity for the people of Edo to align with the APC and cast their votes for Okpebholo as the next governor of Edo State.”
“There is no turning back. We must free Edo State from the clutches of autocrats and economic exploiters who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the commonwealth. Edo State deserves solutions originating from within.”
