By Seyi Babalola
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Governor Godwin Obaseki not to hand over Edo State to economic predators through bloodshed and intimidation as Saturday’s gubernatorial poll approaches.
The APC, in a press statement signed by Kassim Afegbua, Director of Media, Edo State Campaign Council, said that Obaseki’s charge to PDP members to treat the governorship election as do or die demonstrated that he was prepared for violence, accusing the governor of signing a violence charge sheet when he prevented the PDP from signing the peace accord.
The press statement reads; “Governor Obaseki has signed the violence charge sheet apropos of the 21st September election. 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.
“Discombobulated by his proclamations and utterances, we presume that Governor Obaseki has backup plans; and therefore ask that all his travel visas be withdrawn by all the embassies and consular offices. This will help to deny him the window to escape from the country once he orders violence and bloodletting. We request that he be prevented from traveling overseas to seek refuge from the consequences of his masterminded blood bath.
“We are of the strong opinion that he should not be allowed to go scot-free. We cannot be preparing for election as if we are preparing for Russian-Ukraine war, under his aegis. It is scandalous that a supposedly elected executive Governor condescends so low to declare an election a “do or die affair,” even without regard for our present fragile political atmosphere.
“We say “NO” to Governor Obaseki’s call to arms. We condemn it in its entirety, ditto for his deliberate attempt to scare would-be voters and wipe out citizens, in the build-up to next Saturday’s election.
“Additionally, we have been informed that Governor Obaseki has purchased a speed boat around Gelegele area of the state, which he aims to use to ferry militants, criminals and thugs to disturb the election in the riverine areas of the state. The speed boat has been delivered to the area, and is now waiting for action. (See attached picture). The security agencies are hereby called on to nip this in the bud, and avert the war situation which Governor Obaseki is preparing for.
“It is incumbent upon us, to bring to the attention of the public that in the wake of the ban on the Edo Security Network by the Inspector General of Police, Governor Obaseki has resorted to procuring police uniforms for his killer squad, to enable them intimidate the voters, using the uniforms to infiltrate the regular police cadre during the election. His desperate resolve has brought him to despicable conduct and offenses. This is most worrisome, and is a pointer to need for special attention to be given to Edo 21st September election. Obaseki plans to make the day chaotic, in order to carry out his nefarious activities. We again ask that this anomaly be checked with urgency.
“Also, we have it on good authority that Governor Obaseki has distributed pump action guns across the state: 25 pieces each, to the 18 Local Government Chairmen, to arm their trained thugs and members of the outlawed Edo Security Network for operational purposes during the election. Please can this also be checked. It is on record that the people who were supposed to surrender themselves to the Nigeria Police over their complicity in the killing of Inspector Akor Onu, are being kept in safe hiding inside Edo Government House, where other plots are being hatched to unleash mayhem on Edo people. We hereby call on the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to step in immediately to avert a total breakdown of law and order in Edo State, knowing full well that Governor Obaseki has become a completely lawless Chief Executive of the state.
“When we all assembled last week to sign the peace pact, as civilised and democratically inclined members of the APC, both our party and our candidate subscribed to the oath of allegiance of a Peace Accord in line with the doctrine of promoting credible election without bloodbath. We expected the leadership of the PDP, the Governor and the candidate to comply with this irreducible minimum in our shared commitment to set the right tone for the election. Not only did they refuse to sign the peace pact, they let out alarm bells to scare the electorates by shouting murder, bloodbath and war, as though election is war. This cannot be our value system, neither can we reduce a healthy electoral contest to a smoldering contest of bloodletting and war. Edo is for all the citizens irrespective of their political affiliations, belief system, and value orientation.
“We wish to assure our fellow citizens of Edo state, that on Saturday, 21st September we will have a credible election, devoid of hate, let or hindrance; it will be an election that will not be defined by the volume of blood geysered by Governor Obaseki’s vassal army of electoral thugs and hooligans.
“We plead with the security agencies to rise to the occasion, and take appropriate steps and action to mitigate the unfurling mayhem now incipient, at Governor Obaseki’s hands. We are a peace loving people and party, and we are hopeful, having campaigned vigorously, that we will defeat our opponents.
“Edo people must remain vigilant in the course of this exercise. Our State cannot be allowed to slide into an albatross of evil machinations with cake of crimson. There will be life after election, and there will be life after Governor Obaseki.
“We caution Governor Obaseki to forthwith, desist from threatening and harassing Edo people, for he and his acolytes will be made to face the full consequences and wrath of the law. “
