Lucky Obukohwo ReportingÂ
The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that the state governor, Godwin Obaseki has finalized plans to use the state vigilante group to cause mayhem at the various polling units across the state on Saturday’s Elections in the state.
This was contained in a statement signed by the party’s state publicity secretary, Peter Uwadiae Esq and made available to newsmen in Benin City.
He said the Electoral Act 2022 did not and never envisaged the use of vigilante personnel for security duty during elections but only the use of the police.
According to him “This is to bring to the notice of the general public, the clandestine and sinister move of the governor of Edo State, governor Godwin Obaseki to use Edo State Vigilante Network to intimidate, harass and cause mayhem during and after the elections particularly in the rural areas of the state.
“It must be notes with serious concern that the Electoral Act 2022 did not and never envisaged the use of vigilante personnel for security duty during elections.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the only security agents contemplated in the Act for security duty during elections is the police”, Uwadiae said.
Uwadiae said in the circumstances, the party abhors any acts capable of disrupting the elections and and that they urge the police and other sister agencies to ensure that these unholy design of the governor is curtailed as they would not fail to resist any deliberate move of the governor to scuttle or cause mayhem during these elections with the Edo Vigilante service personnel.
The APC publicity secretary added that the party is very happy to see the level of enthusiasm demonstrated by the Edo people towards a hitch-free participation in these elections.
Reacting, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, told True Live News that their allegation is baseless.
He said the APC as a party has clearly seen the hand writing on the wall that they have already lost out in the elections and decided to come up with tissues of lie.