APC Importing Thugs, May Arrest PDP Supporters – Obaseki

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of importing thugs to the state ahead of the governorship election.

He made this known when he received Muslim leaders at the government house, in Benin city, the state capital, on Friday, who came to endorse him for a second term.

Speaking during the visit, Obaseki also accused a billionaire in the APC of paying the police to arrest supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Edo state governor stated that he is not afraid of any man but God, adding that he is ready to stand with the people and defend their interests.

Obaseki said: “I am not afraid of any man but God. I know the gang up is to provoke me and my supporters but we will not fall for their tricks as God will help us.

“As I speak to you now, you can’t imagine that police from Abuja are already in the state and have been paid to arrest our supporters. They have been paid by a billionaire to arrest Peoples Democratic Party supporters in the state.

“This billionaire sponsored the attacks on me and other PDP governors at the Palace. This is to tell you the level of corruption and impunity we face.

“They are planning violence, bringing arms, intimidating our supporters as part of their strategy. They know that if we have a free and fair election, they stand no chance. Their strategy is to continue with their propaganda and lies.

“They know they don’t have a record of performance; their plan is just to intimidate our supporters and ensure they stay off the polling booth.

“They attacked my supporters and wanted me to react to the attacks. I will not attack them back because as the Chief Security Officer of the state, my responsibility is to maintain peace. We would continue to do that at all costs.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed September 19 for the Edo guber poll.

PDP’s Obaseki would slug it out against the candidate of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.