The All-Progressives Congress (APC) has warned Governor Godwin Obaseki not to hand over Edo State to economic predators through bloodshed and intimidation as Saturday’s governorship election draws closer.
The APC, in a press statement signed by Kassim Afegbua, the Director of Media, Edo State Campaign Council, said Obaseki’s charge to the members of the PDP to take the governorship election as do or die showed that he was prepared for violence, accusing the governor of signing a violence charge sheet when he stopped the PDP from signing the peace accord.
The APC said in the press statement; “Governor Obaseki has signed the violence charge sheet ahead of the 21st September election,” he said.
“He and his party, the PDP, refused, before the very eyes of all to sign the peace pact that will in the least evince his commitment to a peaceful electoral conduct. Instead, he charged his party members to see the election as a “do or die affair;” giving them his imprimatur to bring down conflagration and carnage, and attempt to subjugate all concerned; even without regard for the continuity of the state.
“Recall that hitherto, he said without qualms, that Edo State nay Nigeria, will burn under his leadership. This man has been threatening fire and brimstone, thereby scaring and disquieting the voters by his very vociferous and reckless statements that may very well presage a bloody election if care is not taken. How we found ourselves face to face with this intractable character beats me, and more besting is how we came to be faced with this, without preamble or handholding.
“Again, we call on all the security agencies in Nigeria to save Edo State from Governor Obaseki; his antithetical approach to democracy and the coming election is disquieting. We, the APC, continue to implore the people of Edo to espouse peace, even in the face of these provocations; we will never support or condescend to blood-letting. We know we can take Edo State to higher stations and we know that the people are happy to vote us into office.
“Governor Obaseki’s desperation is completely condemnable in our eyes, and we hope that this is ditto for all who are watching. We ask that his behavior be checked, and hope and believe that the international community, and members of the Diplomatic Corps are taking judicious note of his behavior.”
The APC called on the security agencies to beam their searchlights on the governor and ensure that his traveling documents are ceased in case he causes violence and want to escape.
