An armed thug apprehended afte a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area (ENELGA) has sparked controversies ahead of the governorship election in Edo state. The arrest has sparked serious allegations that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is plotting against key PDP figures......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The arrested thug is alleged to be linked to Hon Odi Okojie, a prominent APC federal lawmaker, raising concerns that the incident was a deliberate attempt by the APC to destabilize the PDP’s campaign.
Adding to the controversy, there are claims that the APC is attempting to indict and remove Hon Dr Kelly Inedegbor, the Chairman of ENELGA, using the Nigerian Police Force.
The APC is reportedly seeking to arrest and detain Hon Inedegbor in Abuja, to neutralise his influence in the local government area as a key PDP foot soldier ahead of the election and disrupt the party’s local influence.
In response to the developments, the PDP has raised a strong defence against what it describes as a fabricated scheme by the APC.
According to Okonofua Harry Osemobor, Chief Press Secretary to Hon Dr Kelly Inedegbor, the APC’s actions are a deliberate attempt to malign the local government Chairman.
“Our attention has been drawn to a hastily concocted video circulating on social media, which we believe was orchestrated by Hon Odi Okojie and the APC,” Osemobor stated.
“This response further confirms our suspicion that the situation was intentionally staged to discredit Hon Dr Kelly Inedegbor,” he added.
The PDP asserted that Hon Inedegbor, known for his commitment to peaceful political processes, has no record of violence and is adequately protected by standard police security measures.
The statement added that the local government Chairman had informed all relevant security officials about the rally, and proper security arrangements were made.
The PDP also points out that the individual featured in a viral video is reportedly connected to an APC chieftain, Ebosetale Agogo, and is related to former Vice Chairman Hon Saturday Iyoha.
This connection, the PDP argues, lends credence to their belief that the incident was orchestrated by the APC.
As the election nears, the PDP called for transparency and fairness, warning that the tactics adopted by the APC will undermine the democratic principles at stake in the upcoming election.