…Warns Against Wrath Of The People
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is operating a torture squad in Edo where opposition members are being arrested to undisclosed locations.
The PDP made the allegation on Monday through its spokesman, Hon Debo Ologunagba, who addressed a press conference in Abuja.
The party said the “APC and its candidate are importing thugs from Imo State, some of who curiously appear in the INEC list to serve as SPOs for the election.”
The party warned the APC “to be ready to face the full impact of the wrath of the people of Edo State if it continues in its violent attacks and harassment of innocent citizens of the State.”
This warning, the PDP said is on the backdrop of what it called “continuing attacks, harassment and illegal arrest of innocent citizens of Edo State by APC leaders in connivance with certain compromised police operatives, as part of APC’s desperate bid to scare the people from coming out to vote and seize the opportunity to rig the September 21, 2024 Governorship election.”
The party noted that “since it became clear that the PDP Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo is coasting to a landslide victory with the overwhelming support of over 68% of the expected votes, the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo have been desperate to use violence and harassment to break the will of the people of Edo State.”
The party recalled that on Monday, September 2, it alerted on how the “APC in connivance with certain compromised security operatives have been harassing, arresting and detaining innocent citizens of Edo State, notable among whom are Mr. Kingsley Osahon who was arrested in Uromi, Mr. Odion Bright and Mr. Timothy Isibor who were arrested in Igueben.”
On Wednesday, August 28, it alleged that an attempt was made by the said “APC-controlled operatives to arrest Chief Francis Inegbeniki, who recently defected from the APC to the PDP.
The party further recalled that on Wednesday, September 4, the “APC’s agent stormed the house of one Shina who decamped from the APC to the PDP three weeks ago and forcefully took him away while shooting sporadically to scare the people.”
It further said on Tuesday, September 3, “an attempt was made to pick Mr. Joel Aidamebor, which was firmly resisted by the people.”
According to the PDP, “There are reports in the public domain that the APC has established a torture squad which has been picking innocent Edo citizens and taking them to unknown destinations.”
It alleged that on “Sunday, September 8, 2024, thugs and hoodlums recruited by APC leaders attacked PDP rally in Edo North and destroyed campaign materials in an assault that was decisively resisted by our courageous members and supporters in Edo North, where our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo commands overwhelming support and solidarity.”
The party emphasised that this “resort to harassment and violence only shows that the APC and its irredeemably empty and confused candidate are cowards who are intimidated and terrified by the soaring popularity of Dr. Asue Ighodalo across Edo State.”
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The former ruling party in the country pointed out that the recent public comment by the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo that he will provide the people of Edo State ‘with insecurity’, “is not a slip but a subconscious confession triggered by preponderance of APC meetings and discussion on schemes to visit the people of Edo State with violence before and during the election.
“What else do you expect from a candidate whose godfather is the lying, oppressive, widow-suppressing, go-and-die Adams Oshiomhole?
“Moreover, the PDP already has information of how the APC and its candidate are importing thugs from Imo State, some of who curiously appear in the INEC list to serve as SPOs for the election.
“These APC thugs from Imo State should know that the people of Edo are already aware of their sinister plan and it will be in their interest to steer clear of Edo State,” the PDP warned.
The PDP further wanted that the APC must note that nobody has the “monopoly of violence and that nobody is above the law. APC and its candidate are practically pushing the people of Edo State to the wall; they should know that there is a limit to what a people can stomach in the face of aggression and be ready to face the consequences if they fail to desist from these dastardly acts.
“The people of Edo State have had enough from the APC and will use every legitimate means allowed in a democracy to defend themselves by directly and physically confronting and resisting the APC in its desperate plot to derail the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State,” the PDP warned.
It added that as a law-abiding that stands for the interest of the people, it will not fold its hands and watch the APC harass the people of the state.
“Our Party will within the ambit of the law stop at nothing in contending with the APC, head-to-head in all ramifications, magnitude and force where necessary to protect our democracy and ensure that the Will of the people of Edo State is not subverted in this election.
“The PDP is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the people of Edo State in their resolve to protect their State and democracy and anybody no matter how highly placed who in any way attempts to subvert the will of the people of Edo State in this election will definitely face the consequences.”
The party called on the Inspector General of Police to wade in and halt the activities of the APC which is now “pitching the people of Edo State against the Police.”
The IGP it advised should ensure the immediate and unconditional release of every Edo citizen being detained by the APC.
“The IGP owes a duty to the people of Edo State and the Nation, in the preservation of peace and sustenance of democracy, to address this issue before it escalates.
“This is the only way to douse the tension in Edo State and reassure the people of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.
“Our Party salutes the people of Edo State for their courage, determination and urges them to remain vigilant in their readiness to protect democracy, their votes and the firm desire and expression to elect Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of Edo State in the September 21, 2024 governorship election,” the PDP said.
Attempts to get comments from the spokesman of the APC, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful as he failed to respond to a text message and calls.