As the Edo State governorship election draws near, some leaders of the All Progressives Congress have alleged that Governor Godwin Obaseki and other Peoples Democratic Party leaders are displaying signs of panic in their camp.

In a statement released on Tuesday, members of the APC Vanguard accused Governor Obaseki, the PDP, and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, of orchestrating a campaign of calumny against the APC’s gubernatorial candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.

According to the APC leaders, the recent actions of the PDP and its allies suggest desperation and fear of an impending defeat in the forthcoming election.

The APC Vanguard highlighted a press conference held by the Network of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, where allegations were made against Senator Okpebholo regarding the spraying of naira at a public event. They criticized this move as a smear campaign aimed at tarnishing Okpebholo’s reputation.

The national coordinator of the Vanguard, David Osarobo, expressed dismay at the tactics employed by Obaseki and his allies. He emphasized that the APC candidate’s popularity has surged since his emergence, prompting the opposition to resort to character assassination.

Osarobo stated: “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.”

He further asserted that the people of Edo State have already made their decision and are not swayed by intimidation tactics. Osarobo called on Edo residents to support the APC and vote for Okpebholo as the next governor, emphasizing the need to liberate the state from what he described as “mini tyrants” and “economic scavengers.”

The APC leaders highlighted the developmental strides of the APC-led Federal Government in Edo State, citing ongoing road reconstruction projects and planned social welfare programs as reasons to align with the APC.

As the election approaches, tensions continue to rise in Edo State, with both major parties intensifying their campaigns in a bid to sway voters.