All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo state, Senator Monday Okpebholo has taken a swipe at Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, over alleged sponsorship of a smear campaign against him. 

Okpebholo said the PDP, Obaseki and Ighodalo have suddenly become desperate, over fears that they will suffer a humiliating defeat in the upcoming governorship polls.

Recall that a group, Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, recently held a press conference and also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) over claims that Okpebholo sprayed the naira at a public function 

A statement by the media office of the APC governorship candidate made available to newsmen in Abuja on Tuesday wondered why “desperate Obaseki and his political godson, Ighodalo”, will resort to character assassination in order to score cheap political points. 

The governorship hopeful said that as a private and public person, he has never sprayed or mutilated the naira, insisting that the video agents of the governor and PDP members are sharing on social media does not belong to him

Okpebholo revealed that in his over 50 years on earth, he has never been arrested by the police for any civil or criminal offences, and wondered why the PDP and its agents will fabricate fake news to tarnish his image ahead of the election where he is favoured to win in the polls.

The APC flag bearer warned those behind the rumoured petition and State agents to apologise for misleading Edo people. He also called on the IGP to investigate the faces behind the petition and prosecute them accordingly. 

Okpebholo said: “Emperor Godwin Obaseki, the crisis-ridden PDP and their novice candidate, Ighodalo, have decided to resort to cheap blackmail. They know that they will lose the election, and they are jittery. 

“They are scouting for fake news and non-existent things to blackmail me and lie to Edo people. Unfortunately for them, we know what they are up to. They are smelling the defeat already. Edo people have already decided, and no amount of State-sponsored intimidation will work.

“In Edo state, President Ahmed Tinubu-led APC administration is working. The federal government is reconstructing federal roads in Edo Central, Edo North, and Edo South. The APC-led federal government is planning to implement other social welfare programmes in Edo State. 

“That is why it is imperative for Edo people to take sides with the APC and vote for me as the next governor of Edo State. We will bring the federal government closer to Edo people. We have been isolated for too long, and it is time to end that alienation. 

“There is no going back. We must liberate Edo State from the grip of mini tyrants and economic scavengers who want to use our commonwealth to enrich themselves. Edo State deserves a home-grown solution to the many problems created by Obaseki’s clueless administration.

“In the coming days, our Campaign Organisation will unveil our plans for Edo people. We will focus on key areas that will uplift the lives of the people. Education, healthcare, agriculture, security, tourism, food security, and economic development, among others, will take the centre stage when we take over in November. 

“I call on Edo people to ignore the new distraction the PDP and their agents are  trying to promote. ‘Edo no dey carry last’. We are smart, and no one can deceive us, including Obaseki, who has failed the people.”

Source: The Nation