While it’s common for politicians to engage in verbal sparring during campaigns, Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki’s recent statement has sparked concern.
In a video shared on social media, the governor threatened to lead a movement to “burn down the country” if his supporters are arrested amid the state’s political crisis.
“If they try what they tried last Thursday again, Nigeria will burn and I will lead it. You don’t behave like that, we have passed that stage. If you want to go to the court, you wait for the court. We are not animals, the last time we kept quiet, I told all of you, that you are the one that has something to lose, does not mean that they should take us for granted. Those people who did it, you refuse to arrest them, rather they want to come and arrest our boys,” Governor Obaseki vowed while addressing members of his party.
Tensions in Edo State have escalated in recent weeks, with a grave incident occurring on July 18. Suspected political thugs opened fire on the convoy of the reinstated Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu and APC governorship candidate Senator Monday Okpebholo near the Benin Airport. While Shaibu and Okpebholo escaped unharmed, a police inspector was killed, and others were injured.
In response, the State Police Command vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. Although there is no confirmation of the attackers’ affiliation with Obaseki’s camp, the governor’s statement has been criticized.
“A Call for Restraint”
APC Acting Chairman Emperor in Edo State Jarrett Tenebe described Obaseki’s statement as “inflammatory” and urged authorities to caution the governor to avoid unrest and breakdown of law and order. Tenebe also alleged that the state government has been involved in extrajudicial activities, disguising them as inter-cult clashes.
“To say the least, Obaseki’s latest violent threat to Nigeria and Nigerians is a descent into madness that must quickly be tamed to avoid anarchy and breakdown of law and order in Edo State and Nigeria. The avoidable tragic incident of last Thursday, July 18, 2024, is a vivid example of how far the state-sponsored extrajudicial killings have been going on, but covered by the state government with deceptive reports of inter-cult fights in the state. It was time this madness stopped. It is time to stop Mr Obaseki before he carries out his threat,” the statement partly read.
” Threats, Intimidation, and the Edo 2024 Election”
Since the campaign window opened, both APC and Labour Party have accused Governor Obaseki of using state instruments to harass and intimidate opposition parties. Observers suggest that the governor’s actions may be due to his party’s declining popularity.
Analysts Condemn Inflammatory Language
Experts have criticized Governor Obaseki’s statement, emphasizing that elections should be won through votes, not threats. They urge the governor and his party to focus on voters rather than making inflammatory comments that could lead to anarchy.
