Governor Godwin Obaseki has labeled the upcoming Edo State governorship election on September 21 as a “do or die” affair.
This comes in the wake of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) refusal to sign a Peace Accord for the election.
Obaseki’s remarks followed allegations against the police, who, according to him, are favoring the All Progressives Congress (APC).
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He accused the police of detaining ten PDP members, including an LGA chairman, without adequate justification or evidence.
During a visit from Abdulsalami Abubakar, former military Head of State and Chairman of the National Peace Committee, Obaseki expressed concerns about the current electoral climate.
He highlighted the disparity between the 2020 election and this one, noting increased tension and what he perceives as an environment being actively sabotaged by those meant to uphold the peace.
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Obaseki criticized the APC for allegedly planning to leverage federal power to influence the election outcome.
He claimed that recent developments included the deployment of armed police units to intimidate and arrest PDP members.
At the PDP’s grand finale campaign event in Oredo Local Government Area, Obaseki defended his administration’s record, contrasting it with his predecessor’s tenure.
He praised improvements in pensioners’ conditions and youth employment, asserting that Edo State has become one of the safest in Nigeria.
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He urged voters to support the PDP and its gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the upcoming election.
“This election is a do or die. You must decide whether you want to continue with the progress we have made or revert to a state of insecurity and mismanagement,” Obaseki declared.
Earlier, Obaseki had welcomed top APC officials to Edo State for the concluding campaign event of Senator Monday Okpebholo, which saw high-profile attendees including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
