Some leaders of the All Progressives Congress, members of the APC Vanguard, have said Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, and its candidate in the September governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, will lose in the September 16 governorship election.
The group accused them of sponsoring a smear campaign against the APC governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
The leaders raised concerns over a recent press conference held by a faceless group, the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, and their petition to the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that Okpebholo sprayed Naira notes at a public function.
In a statement issued by David Osarobo on Tuesday, the leaders questioned why Governor Obaseki and his political protege, Ighodalo, would resort to character assassination to gain political advantage.
They defended Okpebholo, stating that as a private and public figure, he has never engaged in the spraying or mutilation of Naira notes. They insisted that the video being circulated on social media, allegedly showing Okpebholo spraying money, is not authentic.
The leaders emphasized that Okpebholo, in his over 50 years of existence, has never been arrested by the police for any civil or criminal offense. They condemned the fabrication of fake news by the PDP and its agents to tarnish Okpebholo’s image ahead of the election, where he is considered a favorite to win.
The group warned those behind the rumored petition and state agents to apologize to the people of Edo State for misleading them.
Osarobo called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the individuals behind the petition and prosecute them accordingly.
Osarobo stated, “Governor Godwin Obaseki, the crisis-ridden PDP, and their inexperienced candidate, Ighodalo, have resorted to cheap blackmail. They are aware that they will lose the election, and they are nervous.
“They are searching for fake news and fabrications to smear Okpebholo and deceive the people of Edo State. Unfortunately for them, we see through their tactics. They are already anticipating defeat. The people of Edo State have already made their decision, and no amount of state-sponsored intimidation will succeed.”