Rigging Claims Fly As APC, Edo Government Clash Ahead Of Gubernatorial Election

Rigging Claims Fly As APC, Edo Government Clash Ahead Of Gubernatorial Election

With just 25 days left until the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, tensions are escalating as the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state government exchange accusations of plotting to rig the upcoming poll.

The APC’s campaign council has alleged that the Edo State government is planning to use the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) to manipulate the election. According to a statement by Prince Kassim Afegbua, Director of Media for the Edo APC campaign council, the state government has been producing police and military uniforms for members of the ESSN to impersonate security personnel on election day.

Afegbua claims that these actions are part of a broader strategy to intimidate and disenfranchise voters in the state. He also expressed concern over the state government’s alleged procurement of arms for the ESSN, which he believes will be used to rig the election.

In response, the Edo State government, through Crusoe Osagie, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Projects, dismissed the APC’s allegations as baseless and laughable. Osagie accused the APC of trying to mislead the public and mask its own plans to use “Federal might” to influence the election.

Osagie argued that the APC’s repeated attacks on the state’s security network are an attempt to discredit a system that has been effective in combating crime in the grassroots. He urged Edo citizens to remain calm and assured them that the state government is committed to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election.

Both parties continue to trade barbs as the election day approaches, with each side calling on security agencies to guarantee a level playing field. The political atmosphere in Edo State remains charged as voters brace for what promises to be a contentious election.