APC Welcomes Obaseki’s Decision to Boycott Edo Governorship Election, Amidst Allegations of Collusion with Police
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed delight at Governor Godwin Obaseki’s decision to boycott the September 21 governorship election in Edo State. In a statement, Director of Media for the Edo APC Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, described Obaseki’s demands as “rogue, ludicrous, ridiculous, self-serving, egocentric, and palpably insulting” to the people of Edo State.
Afegbua stated that Obaseki’s attempt to dictate the terms of the election was “laughable,” adding that the governor was trying to be “clever by half” by choosing his own referee in a contest where his godson, Asue Ighodalo, was a candidate. The APC campaign council commended the Resident Electoral Commissioner and the Commissioner of Police for their efforts to ensure a hitch-free, fair, and credible election.
Afegbua also praised the Inspector General of Police for disbanding the Edo Security Network, which he described as a “rogue squad.” He claimed that Obaseki’s latest threat stemmed from frustration, adding that the governor appeared to have forgotten the meaning of “NO” and was trying to create self-serving rules for himself.
In response, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media Projects to the governor, accused Afegbua of sounding like the mouthpiece of the police and confirmed a “wilful collusion” between the APC and the police. Osagie clarified that the PDP did not boycott the election but rather refrained from signing the Peace Accord until certain conditions were met to ensure a level playing field.
The statement concluded by reiterating the PDP’s position that the IGP and his “Rogue Contingent” were playing out the APC’s script to use “Federal Might” to manipulate the election, which must be resisted by the people of Edo State on September 21. Osagie questioned why the Inspector General of Police was suddenly rushing to charge individuals his office had held in custody for nearly two months, following the PDP’s refusal to sign the Peace Accord.
The APC’s statement has sparked a heated debate, with many questioning the motives behind Obaseki’s decision to boycott the election. While the APC sees it as a sign of weakness, the PDP maintains that it is a necessary step to ensure a level playing field. As the election approaches, tensions are running high, and the people of Edo State are eagerly waiting to see how events unfold.
