Edo 2020: APC Raises the Alarm over Arms Buildup

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aided by Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa of importing arms and persons believed to be thugs into the state with the intention to scuttle the electoral process, because they believed that the PDP and Governor Godwin Obaseki would lose the election.

Addressing a press conference in Benin City, Acting Chairman of the APC, Col David Imuse (rtd) also noted that Obaseki’s alleged desperate schemes and deployment of do-or-die tactics in seeking second term alongside his deputy, Mr. Philip Shaibu, was the reason for the tension.

He also carpeted Okowa, whom he accused of bringing thugs into the state in order to cause mayhem during the election.

Imuse said, “In the past days, we have seen and experienced a dangerous build-up of firearms and violence in Edo State by the governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who no longer needs a diviner to tell him that he has been rejected by the people.

The Edo APC boss, further pointed out that Okowa, whom he alleged shot his way to a contrived victory in Delta State, has begun to lend his hand to Godwin Obaseki, with the supply of thugs and gangs charged with the mission of unleashing violence and rigging the election.

“Acting under the marching orders of the tax-collecting leadership of their umbrella party, they are executing a do-or-die approach where they must either forcefully impose themselves on the people of Edo State for another term or burn the whole state to the ground, making a sorry scene and an ungovernable entity.

“This manifested on Wednesday, August 19, in Igueben local government area, when Okowa suspiciously attended a single ward political event allegedly with an army of thugs with the objective of contributing to their militarisation of the state and to spread panic and intimidate voters,” adding that, during the confusion, an innocent bystander, Mr. Ernest Otoide was shot, which caused him to be hospitalised and in the process brought avoidable sadness and pain to his family.

Imuse disclosed that some suspects with dangerous firearms have been arrested and transferred from Area Command, Irrua to the police command headquarters in Benin City even as he wondered if the unfolding violent crimes must continue to prevail, because of non-negotiability of the governor’s second term bid.