As political parties in Edo State intensify campaigns for the next month governorship election, the war of words between the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has remained unabated.
DAILY POST reports that APC and PDP are among the 17 political parties fielding candidates for the governorship election slated for September 21, 2024 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
The two political parties had been at loggerheads accusing each other of plans to rig the election with the state owned Security Network and Federal Government might.
In the latest accusations, the APC alleged that the PDP and the Edo State Governor are in panic mode over the exposed criminal plans of the State Security Network.
A statement by Prince Kassim Afegbua, Media Director, Edo APC Campaign Council, alleged that the ESN was set up by Governor Godwin Obaseki as a decoy to violently subvert the will of Edo people before, during and after the governorship election.
Afegbua, also said that 11,000-strong armed group allegedly sponsored by PDP were caught during the week verbally directing members to cleverly hide their guns from the eagle eyes of the Nigeria Police and other security forces.
He said, “In three of such disclosures in one of their WhatsApp groups, the government’s evil plans to violently rig the election were busted.
“One of the voice notes directed members to hide their arms and ammunition for fear of arrest, while another stated that in the event of any arrest, there should be resistance.
“Yet, another indicated that should they mount roadblocks or stop-and- search operations, they should ensure that not less than five personnel are involved.”
Reacting, the Asue/Ogie Campaign Management Council of the PDP said the party’s candidate does not require surreptitious means to win the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election.
The deputy director general, media of the campaign management council, Olu Martins said Edo people are intelligent and observant enough to know a thoroughbred candidate.
“Dr Asue Ighodalo does not need any introduction to the Nigerian people especially Nigerians who appreciate hard work and ingenuity (attributes that are strange to the APC).
“It seems the APC is already developing cold feet for the coming elections billed for next month. I read a rather boring write up which reeks of a worn out methodology that plans were underway by the State Government to rig election for our candidate, the very ebullient and cerebral Dr Asue Ighodalo.
“Knowing APC for its well developed penchant for lies and falsehood it would not have been necessary to respond to Kassim Afegbua’s anachronistic style of campaign of calumny but for those who may not know Kassim Afegbua it is necessary to put the record straight.
“Dr Asue Ighodalo is the candidate of the PDP who has transversed the length and breath of Edo State while espousing the most brilliant and lofty ideas of governance and leadership. These ideas continue to resonate with the three Senatorial Districts of Edo South, Edo Central and Edo North.
“Dr Asue Ighodalo has been the most intellectually engaging candidate in the race to Osadebey avenue as his media and live engagements continue to stimulate the minds and consciences of the Edo voting population,” he stated.