Edo govt warns of national crisis if APC interferes in September gubernatorial election

The Edo State government has issued a stern warning, warning that interference by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the upcoming governorship election on September 21, 2024, could trigger a national crisis.

In a statement released on Monday by Crusoe Osagie, Special Assistant on Media Projects, and signed by Commissioner for Communications and Orientation Chris Nehikhare, the government clarified the recent remarks made by Governor Godwin Obaseki.

“If free and fair elections are not allowed to take place in Edo State on September 21, 2024, it will trigger a major crisis in Nigeria,” Nehikhare said, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

The statement was prompted by what the government called an attempt by the APC to distort Governor Obaseki’s remarks and accuse the party of planning to disrupt the election using violent means.

Nehikhare pointed to recent incidents allegedly involving APC supporters, including an attack on Benin Airport on July 18 that left a policeman dead and property destroyed, as well as intimidation of lawyers at the Nigerian Bar Association Secretariat.

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“APC has demonstrated its intention to create chaos, make the state ungovernable and exploit the resulting chaos to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election,” Nehikhare stressed, describing the incident as an indication of the party’s strategy.

Given the economic challenges the country currently faces, the government warned against irresponsible behavior by political actors, warning of the potential for a widespread crisis.

“This caution is especially relevant amid the growing threat of nationwide protests that could escalate into widespread lawlessness,” Nehikhare warned.

The statement urged citizens to continue their lawful activities without fear and called on the Nigerian Police Force to arrest those responsible for the recent acts of violence, offering video evidence from the country’s surveillance system to aid investigations.

“We urge all Edo residents to continue to carry out their lawful activities without fear, while appealing to the Nigerian Police Force to do their duty by arresting the perpetrators, many of whom have been identified and captured on video carrying firearms during the incident,” Nehikhare added.

Edo govt warns of national crisis if APC interferes in September governorship election first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.