FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Edo State chapter has alleged that the All Progressives Congress ,APC, is planning another shooting by using thugs who will disguise in PDP branded attire.
This is to carry out sporadic shootings in the State with the intent to cause chaos and crisis.
A statement signed by Chris Osa Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary,
Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, and made available to journalists in Benin City, stated that”, It has come to our attention that the All Progressives Congress ,APC, in Edo State is planning to deploy another set of armed thugs, disguised in PDP-branded attire, to carry out sporadic shootings in the State with the intent to cause chaos and crisis”.
According to Nehikhare, “We want to draw the attention of the security agencies to this planned attack on our nascent democracy and call on them to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice”,he stated.
He further stated that, “We want to dissociate ourselves from these planned shootings and violence and wish to inform the public that this is yet another in a series of clandestine efforts by the APC to tarnish the image of our party and stir unrest in the State.
“While we condemn in the strongest terms the violent behavior of the All Progressives Congress ,APC, we want to draw the attention of the security agencies to this planned attack on our nascent democracy and call on them to apprehend the culprits and bring them to justice.
“We also warn the APC to desist from the repeated assault on democracy in the last few months and allow the rule of law to be the guiding principle for governance and politics in Edo State.
He called on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the international community, and concerned citizens, among others, to raise their voices against these divisive and destructive tactics of the APC to protect our democracy, guarantee the safety of Edo State, and uphold the rule of law.he concluded.
In reaction,a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress ,APC, in Edo State , John Mayaki, said the Peoples Democratic Party ,PDP, is orchestrating a sinister plot to stage-manage violent attacks on themselves, so as to blame the ruling party”.
According to Mayaki, “The plot is to tarnish the reputation of the APC, distract the public from their failure in government and whip up public sentiments over the ongoing elections petition tribunal hearing”.
Mayaki called on the APC leadership in Edo State to prepare for the calculated attempt at self-sabotage by the PDP, because it is aimed at blackmailing the APC, while creating a false narrative of chaos.
His words, “There is no level these people will not take their desperation. They will abuse democracy and blame it on their opponent. These gimmicks have been hatched to curry public sympathy over the ongoing governorship election petitions tribunal. I call on our people not to be distracted by the PDP’s divisive and destructive agenda”.
