Opposition Planning To Instigate Crisis In Edo, APC Alleges

The Edo chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has raised an alarm that some major opposition political parties are planning to instigate crisis in the state and make it ungovernable.

The state APC chairman, Mr Jarret Tenebe, raised the alarm during a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.

“It has come to our attention that the leadership of some major opposition parties in our state, along with two others, has devised a reckless and dangerous plot to instigate crisis and make Edo ungovernable,” he said.

Tenebe alleged that the aim of those behind the plot was to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.

“Their sinister objective is clear: they want to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Edo, because they have no confidence in securing victory at the Edo Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal will today deliver judgment in the petition filed by the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against the outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.

The APC chairman alleged that the opposition, in their desperation, had resorted to acts of sabotage, hoping to manipulate public perception and judicial sentiment in their favour.

As part of their plans, he said that they had enlisted some disbanded members of the State Security Network to orchestrate violence, as seen in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area.

“Their aim is to falsely implicate the state government in these disruptions, creating a narrative that fosters chaos and sympathy for their failed cause,” he said.

Tenebe called for the arrest of some of the opposition party leaders in the state over the recent killings of 16 people in Uromi.

He said that the call for their arrest was based on the intelligence report before APC which allegedly indicted them.

“Their recent criticism of Governor Monday Okpebholo for travelling to Kano State to condole with victims’ families has further exposed their involvement in the Uromi mayhem,” he said.

He accused the opposition of hypocrisy and desperation, adding that the governor and APC in the state would not be deceived by their antics.

Tenebe also alleged that some opposition members outside the country were instigating violence in the state.

He appealed to APC faithful in the state to remain calm as they await the tribunal judgment on Wednesday.