APC Campaign Team Condemns Attacks, Warns PDP Against Violence Manipulation in Edo State....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The Media Director of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council, Kassim Afegbua, on Monday strongly criticized two recent attacks on the party’s campaign team. Afegbua also accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of deliberately twisting the narrative to suggest that APC members were involved in internal conflicts or being driven away from campaign grounds.
In a detailed statement, Afegbua highlighted the growing use of propaganda by the PDP in Edo State during the current campaign season. He claimed that the party had employed hackers and narrative manipulators to confuse voters. According to Afegbua, the reports generated by PDP supporters were false and intended to mislead the public.
“Two incidents occurred during the APC campaigns in Edo North, and the reports we saw, scripted by the PDP supporters, were most confounding,” Afegbua noted.
Incidents During APC Campaigns in Edo North
The first incident, according to Afegbua, took place at the Ososo campaign in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. He reported that the APC hosted a highly successful rally with significant turnout, which disappointed the PDP. As the APC convoy was departing the area, a group of suspected PDP thugs attempted to disrupt the movement of their vehicles. However, quick intervention by security operatives prevented any serious harm.
Afegbua expressed his appreciation for the prompt action of the security forces, emphasizing that no life is worth losing over an election. He also criticized the false narrative spread by PDP supporters, which painted a completely inaccurate picture of what transpired.
Another Attack in Ekperi, Etsako Central
The second attack occurred during an APC campaign event in Ekperi, located in Etsako Central Local Government Area. Afegbua described how street thugs, allegedly linked to the PDP, attempted to ambush the APC convoy as they were leaving the rally. Shots were reportedly fired at the vehicle carrying the party’s candidate. Once again, security personnel acted swiftly, restoring order before the situation escalated.
Despite this violent attempt, PDP supporters allegedly twisted the narrative, claiming that APC members were chased out of Ekperi. Afegbua refuted these claims, stressing that Ekperi is a known APC stronghold. He pointed out that even PDP leaders in the area, such as Barrister Pascal Ugbome, are aware of APC’s dominance in Etsako Land.
APC’s Call for Restraint Amid Ongoing Violence
Afegbua stressed that the APC has taken steps to prevent any form of violence during the campaign season. The party has instructed its members to maintain peace and avoid confrontations, even when provoked. However, he warned that if the violent acts continue, the APC might be forced to retaliate.
“We have resisted this option because we love the people of Edo, regardless of their political affiliations. However, if this trajectory of violence continues, we may be forced to confront those who think violence and gangsterism are their methods of operation,” Afegbua stated.
He also issued a strong warning to the PDP, urging Governor Godwin Obaseki’s supporters to stop their acts of violence. He warned that if the attacks on the APC campaign team persist, any retaliation from the APC would be uncontrollable.
