The Edo State All Progressives Congress Campaign Council has accused the state government of planning to rig the September 21 governorship election using the state Security Network personnel to intimidate voters.
In a statement signed by Prince Kassim Afegbua, Director Media, Edo APC Campaign Council, the council alleged that the state government is producing police and military uniforms for the Security Network members to disguise themselves and carry out their assignment, according to Independent.
The council claimed that the state government has been recruiting more hands into the Security Network, empowering them with arms to rig the election.
They also alleged that the Security Network has started mounting illegal roadblocks and checkpoints, attacking APC supporters and functionaries.
The council appealed to the Military Authority and the Nigeria Police to investigate the allegations and act appropriately to prevent the breakdown of law and order in the state.
They warned that the situation could lead to a total breakdown of law and order if not addressed.
The council emphasized their commitment to a peaceful electoral process and called on the authorities to ensure that the election is free from violence and intimidation.
According to Afegbua, Edo State APC Campaign Council is hereby alerting the public, Edo electorates, and all others concerned, of the clandestine and surreptitious moves by the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, to rig the forthcoming Edo Gubernatorial election using his illegal Edo Security Network as a gambit.
“We have been inundated with calls from well meaning Edo electorates of his game plan to use threat, intimidation and harassment to disenfranchise Edo electorates from exercising their rights at the elections are we had decried before, the State Government’s activities apropos of arms procurement.
“Edo State government has been recruiting even more hands into their illegal Edo Security Network, with the sole motive of empowering them for the underhand assignment of rigging the election by intimidation.
“Some citizens with moral rectitude, who were invited for briefing at the Government House on Monday raised concerns about this plot and turned down the job offer. The State Government is still arranging to procure more guns and other ammunition for them for the D-Day of the election.
“Before now, the Edo Security Network had started mounting illegal road-blocks and check points across the state, posturing as Police and Military personnel: the APC campaigns in Akoko-Edo were attacked a couple of days back, and our supporters, acolytes and functionaries were also attacked at Ewohinmi area last week after our successful campaign outing.
” By this statement, we are appealing to the Military Authority as well as the Nigeria Police, particularly to the Inspector General of Police to please come and rescue Edo State, immediately.
“We adjure these authorities to commission their men to carry out investigations concerning these serious allegations in order to act appropriately, and forestall the breakdown of law and order in Edo State.
“We have been besieged with serious complaints by our members, and other citizens of the need to be particularly overarching about the safety of theirs, and our lives and properties, in order for us all to successfully and peacefully exercise our franchise on the D-Day.
“The fears are becoming disquieting hence our decision to alert the whole world of these sinister plots of Governor Godwin Obaseki. It is wrong, condemnable and abhorrent for a state government to be arming youths in the name of election” Afegbua also alleged
Afegbua however warned that this is how the dreaded Boko Haram started, and has grown to become this juggernaut besetting Nigeria till date, adding that we must avoid such a situation in Edo.
“It is incumbent on the security authorities to act with legitery , even if it comes to banning the Edo Security Network and also arresting those illegally in possession of firearms altogether. The needful need be done lest we allow a total breakdown of law and order in the state.
“In the APC, we preach one man, one vote; in the exercise of the franchise of every eligible voter in the state. We are concerned that the state governor is deeply desperate and will espouse cutthroat gambits to plunge the state into avoidable crises should the odds be against him.
“Under a democracy, the freedom to choose is not a only sacrosanct but indeed the least requirement for the excercise to bear that name. Let us leave the power with the people. Governor Obaseki must be called to order immediately.
“We are for a peaceful process of election and nobody, no matter how highly placed, or in whatever station will intimidate, repress, or withstand us.
“We are fervently calling on all concerned, to ensure that the election is devoid of bloodletting and killing by any party, by not leaving any wiggle room for artifice. A stitch in time, saves nine. The IGP and Military Authorities should please act on this with alacrity, to arrest this grave concern,” he declared.
