PRESS RELEASE.
WE WELCOME PDP AND GOVERNOR OBASEKI’S ELECTION BOYCOTT.
We have just been informed that Governor Obaseki just held a press conference where he threatened to boycott next Saturday’s gubernatorial election, unless the State Commissioner of Police, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner are removed from office. These requests of Governor Obaseki are rogue, ludicrous, ridiculous, self-serving, egocentric and palpably insulting to the good people of Edo state. It is laughable that Governor Obaseki, who is not a candidate in this election, is seeking to pick and choose the terms of the election: he is trying to be clever by half, in his delusion that he can choose his own referee to officiate in a contest that will field his godson, Asue Ighodalo.
We wish to state unequivocally and in round terms, that the Edo people have sturdy and unwavering confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner, and ditto for the Commissioner of Police. They are doing well to ensure that the election of 21st September is hitch-free, fair, and credible. We wish to commend these officers for their work thus far, and for their ability to withstand the pressures of Governor Obaseki, who we are reliably informed, has tried unremittingly to influence these officers to do his selfish bidding, without any luck. His latest threat is borne of frustration and disaffection. Most probably, he has forgotten the meaning of “NO,” hence his threat to go apostate.
We commend the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, for taking the bold decision to disband the Edo Security Network, which has operated like a killer squad in the state. We reiterate hereby, that we are for peaceful, free, and fair election conduct. All the candidates have traversed the length and breadth of the state, and it is clear that the APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo is the people’s choice!! We recognize the root of Governor Obaseki’s scratch side gambit, explicated above, hence his uninspiring attempt to blackmail the REC and the Commissioner of Police; he thinks he is a juggernaut; he will meet the rock of Gibraltar
We welcome the PDP’s planned boycott of 21st September gubernatorial election, and hope that it counts against them. We call on all our members to exercise pacific comportment, as we look forward to the election, and victory of the APC. Nobody need be perturbed by the shallow argument of Governor Obaseki and his godson; they are just trying to create self-serving rules for themselves- other possible options (OPO). Elections are not a do or die affair, but a process of choosing who will make Edo State great!!! We are assured of victory, Deo Volente; in the election and in governance. If Governor Obaseki and his party, the PDP, renege on their threat to boycott this election, we will conclude that they are mere lilliputian politicians, gallivanting in the wheel of failure, without balls.
PRINCE KASSIM AFEGBUA
DIRECTOR OF MEDIA.
APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL.