The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed optimism that a new, violence-free state will emerge, despite the killings and chaos that have characterized the campaign for the September 21 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday evening by the Edo State Publicity Secretary of the party, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, the party emphasized its focus on promoting transparency, free, fair, and credible elections in the state.
He also described as “baseless and unfounded” the allegation by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the APC had colluded with the police to harass and arrest its members.
“The public and media space are awash with the baseless and unfounded allegations by the PDP concerning the arrest of its members by the police, allegedly at the instigation of our party.
“The APC would have preferred not to respond to these unsubstantiated and rude allegations to avoid dignifying the PDP, but this response is necessary to set the record straight and to clear the doubts in the minds of the people of Edo.
“It must be emphasized that some weeks ago, a young man, who was wickedly armed with a gun, was arrested in Uromi, in Esan North Local Government Area of the State.
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“Reports indicated that the young man confessed that the gun was procured for him and his associates by the Chairman of Esan North Local Government Area to be used against their perceived political enemies, particularly members of the APC.
“It is also widely known that during police interrogation, the young man provided the names of his accomplices, some of whom have been arrested, while others remain at large.
“The police, who should be commended by the PDP—the ruling party in the state—are instead being castigated for fulfilling their civic responsibility of ensuring the security of lives and property within the state.
“The PDP should reproach itself for its insensitivity to the widespread insecurity in the state. One wonders why the party criticizes those fulfilling their duties according to the core mandate of the government.
“It is disturbing that the Governor of the state has made inciting statements that border on treasonable felony, especially when it was evident from available evidence that members of his party allegedly shot and killed a serving police officer, Inspector Akor Onuh, in their desperate attempt to assassinate our party’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
“Those named in our petition to the Inspector General of Police are reportedly being harbored in Government House under the watchful eye of the governor.
“We, therefore, take this opportunity to commend the police for their unwavering courage and determination to apprehend those involved in this heinous crime, to make the state safe for a free and fair election on September 21, 2024.
“We also encourage the well-informed people of Edo to disregard the PDP’s claims about the arrest and harassment of its members, as our party remains focused on actions that will promote transparency and a free, fair, and credible election in the state.
“We also call on all security agencies in the state to remain vigilant and operate with integrity during these trying times because a new Edo is rising, where the APC will provide relief to the people of Edo,” the statement reads.
It is worth recalling that on Sunday, the PDP called on the international community, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and other stakeholders to pay attention to the upcoming election in Edo.
The party also accused the Nigerian Police of colluding with the APC to arrest and keep PDP members out of circulation.