TRIBUNE
The Edo State government has condemned what it called attempts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to negatively spin comments made by state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, where he warned that if the party does not allow for a free and fair election in the state, it will be a recipe for crisis in Nigeria.
In a statement, the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, accused the opposition party of trying to exploit the instrument of violence to influence the outcome of the forthcoming September 21 governorship election in the state.
Nehikhare said the governor spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting, on Sunday, in Benin City, the state capital and warned: “If a free and fair election is not allowed to hold sway in Edo State on September 21, 2024, it will trigger a major crisis in Nigeria.”
The statement by the commissioner clarifying the issue read: “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to the negative spin that the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fruitlessly attempting to put to the comments made by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, at a stakeholders meeting, on Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.”
“For the records, we want to restate the comments of the governor on that occasion which is that: “If a free and fair election is not allowed to hold sway in Edo State on September 21, 2024, it will trigger a major crisis in Nigeria.”
“Recall that on Thursday, July 18, 2024, ahead of the rally to inaugurate the APC National Campaign Council, in Benin City, which was held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, the party assembled a large number of people around the precincts of the Benin Airport, on Airport Road, Benin City, resulting in the unfortunate death of a police officer, Inspector Akor Onuh attached to MOPOL 45 Abuja and the wanton destruction of properties and injuries to several citizens who were going about their lawful businesses.
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