The Department of State Security Service on Monday grilled some campaign Managers of Asue Ighodaro, Candidate of September 21st 2024 Edo State governorship election for several hours at the Edo State Command headquarters in Benin.
In a disclaimer, Organizers of the planned rally in memory of what they termed ‘stolen mandate’ in the governorship, was cancelled by the on Monday due to security concerns and alleged withdrawal of Asue Ighodaro from the event billed to hold at the King Square in Benin City.
Director of Publicity, Asue Ighodaro campaign Organization, Olu Martins and a few others responded to DSS invitation sent to them, according to a dependable source.
Recall that barely one year ago, Martins was arrested by police operatives and charged to court in Edo State for allegedly inciting violence in a viral video where he threatened members of the then opposition party — All Progressives Congress,
APC in the State.
After responding to questions and profiling, Martins on Monday evening wrote on Facebook: “Just finished my engagement with the DSS and it was very civil and enriching. The DSS Director is a thorough bred professional”.
He said, “even after cancellation APC still nor fit rest because they have assured oga at the top that there is no opposition in Edo State again.
“2.5. million phantom votes have turned APC members to thugs. Almost no APC member can speak now without threats. So no one can differ with you guys without the threat.
“Unintelligent people without substance other than violence. You guys want to tighten the political space so no one can talk or challenge.
“No one is more Edo than another.
The State belongs to all of us”, Martin said while downplaying on his invitation by DSS.
TheNewspad reports that discordant tunes had trailed the cancellation of the planned rally against ‘Edo State electoral fraud’, especially among Chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party.
A United Kingdom-based Nigerian blogger, Albert Obazee, claimed credit for the twist and turns after he challenged Asue Ighodaro to show cause why he should not be branded a betrayal.
Obazee’s attack followed a recent viral video where Ighodaro was caught sharing wine with Senator Adams Oshiomhole at the 70th Birthday party of former deputy Governor of Edo State, Mike Oghiadomhe.
Similarly, a youth leader of PDP, Shredrack Udugbai, wrote: “The lives and livelihood of our beloved brothers and sisters, fellow compatriots and soldiers of democracy is paramount to us.
“APC saw this poster and they lost sleep.
They’ve been issuing baby threats and making insidious plans on how to wreak havoc, destroy, fight and kill anyone that comes out on that Day.
Simply because we choose to remember our ugly past as a people and as a Party. Are we revolting? No. Are we removing Okpebolo? Of course not… do We even have such power?
“We simply wanted to congregate and speak to the issues of electoral reforms. The role of incumbency in conducting free, fair and credible elections.
“Draw national and international attention on the need to strengthen our electoral process, while averting what transpired in Edo on the 21st of September 2024.
“But an evil man runneth, when no man pursueth.
“We’ve called off the program… APC can continue to eat their stolen akara in Peace”, Udugbai posited.
In an opinion piece on social media to the cancellation, Chris Osa Media wrote: “The decision to cancel this planned event is a wise one, as it would have been unlawful to stage a protest against a Candidate who was declared winner by INEC, and duly confirmed by a competent court of law.
“Regardless of how it is presented, such an action remains illegal and poses a serious risk to peace, law, and order in the State”, he said.
