The All Progressives Congress on Friday stated that it welcomes Governor Godwin Obaseki’s decision to boycott the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.
Director of Media for the Edo APC Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, made this known in a statement, expressing hope that the governor’s decision would work against him.
The statement read, “We have just been informed that Governor Obaseki has threatened to boycott next Saturday’s gubernatorial election unless the State Commissioner of Police and the Resident Electoral Commissioner are removed from office.
“These demands by Governor Obaseki are rogue, ludicrous, ridiculous, self-serving, egocentric, and palpably insulting to the good people of Edo State.
“It is laughable that Governor Obaseki, who is not a candidate in this election, is attempting to dictate the terms of the election. He is trying to be clever by half, believing he can choose his referee in a contest where his godson, Asue Ighodalo, is a candidate.
“We wish to state unequivocally that the people of Edo have full confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner, as well as the Commissioner of Police.
“Both officers have been working diligently to ensure the September 21 election is hitch-free, fair, and credible. We commend them for their efforts so far and for withstanding Governor Obaseki’s attempts to influence them to serve his selfish interests.
“Obaseki’s latest threat stems from frustration. He appears to have forgotten the meaning of ‘NO,’ hence his threats to withdraw.
“We also commend the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for the bold decision to disband the Edo Security Network, which had been operating like a rogue squad in the state. We are committed to a peaceful, free, and fair election.
“We welcome the PDP’s planned boycott of the September 21 gubernatorial election and hope it counts against them. We urge all our members to remain calm and confident as we look forward to victory for the APC.
“Governor Obaseki and his godson are simply trying to create self-serving rules for themselves. Elections are not a do-or-die affair, but a process of selecting who will move Edo.
“We are confident of victory in both the election and governance. Should Obaseki and his party, the PDP, backtrack on their boycott threat, we will conclude that they are simply failed politicians, attempting to salvage their situation.”
Responding, Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser on Media Projects to the governor, said Afegbua’s comments made him sound like the mouthpiece of the police, and his stance confirmed a wilful collusion.
He stated, “The Edo State Government has noted the childish and infantile attempts by the Director of Media of the Edo APC Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, to misinterpret the events of September 12 regarding the signing of the Peace Accord ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
“It is perplexing that Afegbua is now standing in for the Nigerian Police, claiming that the Peoples Democratic Party has boycotted the September 21 election in Edo State.
“It is curious that Afegbua would descend to such a low level to carelessly interpret the Peace Accord signing, organised by the National Peace Committee led by former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Benin City, as an act of election boycott.
“We clarify that the PDP did not boycott the election, but rather refrained from signing the Peace Accord until the conditions we put forward for ensuring a level playing field were met. This is a reasonable request under the circumstances.
“For anyone still in doubt, why is the Inspector General of Police suddenly rushing to charge individuals his office has held in custody for nearly two months, following our refusal to sign the Peace Accord?
“Afegbua’s comments indicate that the APC is in collusion with the police. His commendation of the Police Chief confirms the APC’s and the Police’s sinister plans for the election.
“We reiterate our position that the IGP and his ‘Rogue Contingent’ are playing out the APC’s script to use ‘Federal Might’ to manipulate the election. This must be resisted by the people of Edo State on September 21.
“Only a level playing field for all participants in the election will ensure justice for the people of Edo State as we approach the polls.”
