The Edo State Governorship Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress (APC) claimed on Thursday that Governor Godwin Obaseki and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have entered a state of panic due to the exposure of alleged criminal activities by the Edo Security Network (ESN).
This is ahead of the September 21st gubernatorial election.
Prince Kassim Afegbua, Media Director of the Edo APC Governorship Campaign Council, made this assertion in a statement released in Benin.
He alleged that the ESN, established by Governor Obaseki, was intended as a front to violently undermine the will of the Edo people before, during, and after the election.
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Afegbua further claimed that the 11,000-member armed group was recently caught instructing its members to conceal their weapons from the scrutiny of the Nigeria Police and other security forces.
He cited three instances of such directives, allegedly shared in a WhatsApp group, which exposed the government’s plans to rig the election through violence.
One of the voice notes, according to Afegbua, advised members to hide their arms and ammunition to avoid arrest, while another encouraged resistance in the event of any arrests.
A third voice note allegedly instructed members that if they were to conduct roadblocks or stop-and-search operations, they should ensure the presence of at least five personnel.
However, a senior member of the ESN, who chose to remain anonymous, dismissed these allegations, asserting that the ESN would work cooperatively with other security agencies in the state to ensure a “free, fair, and crime-free” election on September 21.
The source emphasized that the ESN has been operational long before this election, assisting conventional security outfits in apprehending criminals and preventing crimes.
He assured that despite occasional minor issues, the ESN has always conducted its operations professionally and will continue to do so.
Afegbua reiterated in his statement that the public is already aware of the alleged directives within the ESN and accused Governor Obaseki of devising secret plans to rig the election in favor of his preferred successor, Asue Ighodalo.
He warned that the APC would continue to expose these plans and has already informed the relevant authorities to prevent any potential violence during the election.
Afegbua urged APC members, stakeholders, and the public to remain vigilant as the election date approaches and called on the Inspector General of Police to take timely action to prevent any bloodshed, which he claimed Governor Obaseki might be planning.
TheWitness