The Edo State Government has said that the fake ‘anti-bad governance’ protest notice making the rounds on social media was not sent by the Deputy Director General for Media and Publicity of the PDP Campaign Council for the 2024 Edo Governorship Election, Rev. Olu Martins.
In a statement the Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, said the fake and unsigned message titled, “Anti-Bad Governance Protest and Rally,” is currently being circulated by members and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.
According to him, “A fake and unsigned message titled “Anti-Bad Governance Protest and Rally,” is currently being circulated by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and their leadership in Edo State with the intent to orchestrate the arrest of Edo State Government officials and leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as part of the Edo APC’s strategy to manipulate the September 21 governorship election.
“The said statement did not emanate from Rev. Olu Martins, the Deputy Director General for Media and Publicity of the PDP Campaign Council for the Edo Governorship Election as claimed by the purveyors of this fake news. It is the handiwork of the Edo APC to stir crisis in the State ahead of the governorship election which they are aware they cannot win in a free and fair contest.”
He added, “The APC and Comrade Philip Shaibu had earlier sent another petition to the security agencies listing 22 leaders and members of the PDP, asking the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest them for the violence on Airport Road in Benin City, which was orchestrated by Philip Shaibu to disrupt the peace of Edo State.”
Nehikhare urged members of the public to disregard the public notice as fake, noting, “This unsigned message is fake and should be completely disregarded, and citizens should go about their lawful businesses.”