Edo APC Fires Back At ADC, NDC, Says Violence Allegations Self Inflicted

The Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described allegations of intimidation and political violence levelled against it by the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) as self-inflicted, urging the opposition parties to look inward and address their internal challenges.

The State Publicity Secretary of the APC, Barrister Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, stated this on Wednesday while reacting to allegations made by the two opposition parties at a joint press conference in Benin City on Tuesday.

He denied that the ruling party was intimidating opposition members, insisting that the APC was focused on campaigning and persuading voters across the state’s 192 wards.

Uwadiae-Igbinigie said, “We are not intimidating anybody. As you can see from the activities going on throughout the 192 wards of the state, we are engaged in frantic campaigns to convince people of the need to vote for the APC.

“We are the only political party in Edo State presently doing that and showcasing what the Edo State Government is doing through the SHINE Agenda.”

He added that the APC had never resorted to intimidation, even when it was in opposition, stressing that political parties should campaign on their manifestoes and achievements rather than engage in allegations.

“The best way of making people vote for your party is to showcase what you will do by way of manifesto. Today, the NDC has no manifesto. How do you lead a country as complex as Nigeria without a roadmap?” he queried.

The APC spokesman further dismissed the allegations of violence as outdated, saying, “Violence is no longer fashionable in politics. We have outgrown that. Election in Nigeria is now technology-driven, and when election is technology-driven, violence has no place.”

He maintained that the APC was concentrating on presenting the achievements of the present administration and convincing voters to support the party.

On allegations that the APC was pulling down opposition billboards, Uwadiae-Igbinigie described the claims as criminal allegations that should be reported to the police.

“If you are accusing the APC of pulling down your billboards, these are criminal allegations. The next thing is to go to the police and make a report,” he said, while alleging that the ADC and NDC had histories of violence.

He pointed out that the challenges confronting the two opposition parties were self-inflicted, insisting that the APC had not been involved in political violence in Edo State.

“What is happening in ADC and NDC is self-inflicted. They should look within. They should not blame APC for their problems. We have never been involved in violence in Edo politics,” he said.