The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has welcomed Governor Godwin Obaseki’s decision to boycott the upcoming governorship election on September 21, 2024. Kassim Afegbua, the Director of Media for the Edo APC Campaign Council, criticized Obaseki for attempting to interfere in the election, labeling his demands as self-serving and egocentric. Obaseki had called for the removal of the State Commissioner of Police and the Resident Electoral Commissioner, which the APC dismissed as an attempt to influence the election in favor of his godson, Asue Ighodalo, a candidate in the election.

Afegbua expressed confidence in the electoral and police officers, praising their efforts to ensure a free and fair election. He also commended the Inspector General of Police for disbanding the Edo Security Network, which he claimed had operated like a rogue squad. The APC is confident in its victory and urges its supporters to remain calm.

In response, Crusoe Osagie, Governor Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media Projects, refuted Afegbua’s claims, clarifying that the PDP had not boycotted the election but had withheld signing the Peace Accord until their conditions for a level playing field were met. Osagie accused the APC of colluding with the police to manipulate the election and reiterated that the people of Edo State must resist such interference.

The political tension between both parties is escalating as the election date draws closer, with accusations of manipulation and collusion intensifying the atmosphere.