Jarret Tenebe, the chairman of the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has accused opposition parties of scheming to destabilize the state in order to push for a state of emergency.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, Tenebe claimed that opposition leaders had devised a plan to create unrest, with the ultimate goal of pressuring President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency.
He further alleged that former members of the State Security Network had been recruited to incite violence, particularly in Uromi, Esan North-East Local Government Area, as part of an attempt to discredit the state government. “They are attempting to fabricate a crisis in order to gain sympathy for their cause,” he said.
Tenebe also called for the arrest of certain opposition figures, who he linked to the violence in Uromi that led to 16 deaths. He pointed to intelligence reports implicating these individuals and criticized their attacks on Governor Monday Okpebholo’s visit to Kano to condole with the victims’ families, suggesting that this further revealed their involvement in the unrest.
The APC chairman also accused some opposition members abroad of inciting violence in Edo and vowed to pursue their extradition through foreign missions and embassies. “No amount of blackmail or intimidation will prevent our governor from securing victory at the tribunal,” he stated. “The people of Edo have spoken, and their mandate will not be taken away.”
Tenebe highlighted Governor Okpebholo’s proactive measures to address insecurity in the state, including the acquisition of security equipment, vehicles, and drones to support law enforcement. He assured the public that the administration was committed to maintaining safety and stability in Edo.
He urged APC supporters to remain calm as they awaited the tribunal’s ruling on a petition filed by Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, who is challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The tribunal is expected to deliver its verdict on Wednesday.
