A viral campaign of political propaganda and fake news targeting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Edo State, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, has sparked outrage ahead of the Edo governorship election scheduled for September 21, 2024.
The Esan Advancement Group, a civil society organization, has issued a public statement defending Aziegbemi’s integrity, labelling the attacks against him as baseless and politically motivated.
In an open letter addressed to the Presidency, the National Security Adviser (NSA), and the Department of State Security (DSS), the group vehemently refuted allegations circulating in the media that Dr Aziegbemi accused the Presidency and the NSA of plotting to manipulate the forthcoming elections.
According to the false report, which went viral on September 15, it was claimed that $2 million had been released to influence the election outcome through vote-buying and compromising officials.
The group’s leader, Kio Eromosele, stated, “This baseless accusation is part of a larger effort to discredit Dr Aziegbemi, framing him as a political villain in the lead-up to the elections. These attacks are aimed at undermining his leadership and weakening the PDP’s electoral chances.”
The Esan Advancement Group further highlighted that Dr Aziegbemi has long been the subject of coordinated attacks.
They noted that in March 2024, he was kidnapped and held captive for 10 days, an incident that many believe was an attempt to silence him as a prominent political figure in Edo State.
Eromosele added, “Even before the campaigns officially began, there were forces at work seeking to neutralize Dr. Aziegbemi. These recent fabrications are simply another phase in a long-standing plot.”
The group disclosed that an investigation into the alleged statement attributed to Aziegbemi revealed that the document was a forgery.
“The fake report did not match the official templates used by the Edo State PDP, and Dr Aziegbemi’s close associates confirmed that he did not author any such statement,” Eromosele explained.
Speaking on behalf of the women traders in Edo State, Blessing Aigbogu, the General Secretary of the Esan Advancement Group, reiterated the call for public vigilance, stating, “We urge all well-meaning citizens of Edo State and Nigeria to recognize these attacks for what they are—malicious, baseless, and aimed at distorting the truth.”
The group expressed concern that the ongoing fake news campaigns could be part of a strategy to arrest Dr Aziegbemi on trumped-up charges and remove him from the political landscape ahead of the crucial elections.
In their concluding remarks, the Esan Advancement Group stressed that Dr. Aziegbemi remains committed to the principles of fairness, justice, and democracy.
They urged all concerned stakeholders, including civil society organizations and the National Human Rights Commission, to stand against the spread of misinformation and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
With the election just days away, the spread of false information has heightened political tension in Edo State, raising concerns about the potential impact on the credibility of the upcoming polls.
