The Edo State Government has expressed shock at the resolve of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to orchestrate crisis and cause mayhem in the State by its decision to kick-start its state-wide rally on August 1, 2024 coinciding with the commencement of the nationwide #EndBadGovernance demonstrations by the citizenry.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, the government said: “While all state governments and the Federal Government are adopting measures to resolve lingering issues to diffuse tension and restore normalcy, the Edo State chapter of the APC has decided on kicking off its state-wide rally across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the State.”
He noted that the plan of the APC is to cause a clash between their members and supporters and the protesters and ultimately engineer a clash and then blame the Edo State Security Network for any crisis.
He added: “The State Government frowns at this insensitive decision of the APC and warns that the party desists from taking this step so as to prevent avoidable chaos in the State.
“The government warns that if the APC should go ahead with this ill-timed rally across the State and it eventually leads to disruption of public peace and destruction of property, the state would bring the full weight of the law on the perpetrators and ensure that those involved are brought to justice.
“The State is still reeling from the pains of the mayhem orchestrated on Thursday, July 18, by thugs and supporters of the APC, which led to the death of a police officer.
“We call on the Police, the Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies to be on guard and ensure that these insidious plans are averted so as to maintain public peace and order in the best interest of the good people of Edo State.”
“We urge citizens to be circumspect as they go about their lawful businesses as the government remains committed to engendering peace and progress in the State,” he added.