The Edo State Government has accused the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to blackmail the state governor ahead of the 2016 gubernatorial election in the state by turning the Christian and Muslim communities in the state against him.
In a Tuesday statement by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Media Affairs, John Mayaki, the government accused the state Chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih of fanning religious embers and seeking to turn Christian and Muslim faithful against the ruling All Progressives Congress and the person of the Governor.
Recall that Oshiomhole is currently serving his second and last term in office, but has vowed to have a hand in picking his successor.
Mayaki said: “Orbih alleged, weekend, that Oshiomhole stopped the Muslim community from accessing the stadium for a scheduled programme and that the government marked over 60 churches in the Government Reserved Areas, GRA, Benin City for demolition. For me, this recent ploy by Orbih is symptomatic of the drowning man and the fast drowning party, the PDP. If anything, it exists in Orbih’s imagination. The state government and Oshiomhole have a good and cordial relationship with the various religious bodies in the state and hold them in high esteem.
“Importantly, Orbih’s recent approach, after series of failed attempts by brandishing fake vouchers to incite the people against the government is to show how desperate his party wants to occupy Osadebey Avenue. For me, this is actionable and I urge the good people of the state, both the Muslims and the Christians alike to condemn it.”