Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has accused the All Progressives Congress of importing thugs into the state ahead of the party’s primary and the September 19 governorship election in the state.
The governor noted that while other political parties conducting primary elections in Edo State have notified the government of their readiness to comply with the state COVID-19 guidelines, the APC was yet to do.
This was contained in a statement on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie.
The statement quoted the Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie as saying, “The Edo State Government is calling on all political parties holding primary elections to restrict themselves to conducting their activities within the protocols and regulations provided for in the Edo State Coronavirus Quarantine Regulations and the Government’s Gazette on political gatherings during this pandemic.
“These guidelines were issued in fulfillment of government’s statutory duty to ensure the protection of lives and property in the state, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
“However, we note with concern that all the political parties conducting primary elections in Edo State have notified the government of their readiness to comply with the extant laws and COVID-19 regulations, except the All Progressives Congress.