Edo Governorship Election: APC alleges PDP of planning to invade INEC office

From our political desk, Benin 

The Edo State chapter of the All progressive congress, (APC) claims it has unveiled plan by the People's Democratic Party, (PDP) to invade the Independent Electoral Commission INEC headquarters in Benin; using the members of the disbanded Edo State security network, (ESSN) .

The APC made the claim in a press release signed by the State Chairman of the Party, Jarrett Tenebe; and availed journalists in Benin, on Wednesday, 9 October, 2024.

"Arising from the outcome of the inspection of election materials by political parties at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Edo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) out of frustration has finalised plans to invade the inspection venue with members of the disbanded Edo State Security Network (ESSN); who police have established, murdered Police Inspector Akor Onuh. 

"The All Progressives Congress is by this statement informing the general public that Governor Godwin Obaseki has decided to unleash mayhem on members of the opposition parties, including INEC personnel.

"We have it on good authority that their plans include the possible burning of INEC to give room for substitution of BVAS machines, fake results and Voters' Register. 

"We have earlier raised alarm about the bus loads of BVAS machines and fake election results that were transported from PDP election situation room in Edo Government House to INEC office. 

"In the prevailing circumstance, we implore the Police and other security agencies to arrest those that killed Inspector Onuh at the venue, because good samaritans, including APC chairman, Emperor Jarret Tenebe will be on ground to identify the murderers. 

"It will be recalled; that Governor Obaseki had promised the disbanded ESSN members, that he will recall them in "few days," and with the recent discovery, it is now obvious that his plan is to deploy them to kill more people in INEC."

As at the time of filing in this story for publication Wednesday, all efforts to get the reaction of the PDP and the Edo State Government did not succeed; as calls to phones of officials were not answered, and even text messages were not attended to.