Edo 2020: Obaseki Making Forceful Attempts to Coerce Teachers - APC

By Simeon OSAJIE

Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC) Media Campaign Council says it’s in receipt of credible reports from multiple teachers across the state detailing how the state Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has been making forceful attempts to coerce them to either join him for campaign rallies or forfeit their pay.

 A statement by the APC Media Campaign Council said: “Obaseki has introduced desperation and blackmail into our body polity. He now coerces teachers under state pay to canvass for his rallies in the buildup to the September 19 elections."

 APC said, “This report was revealed after aggrieved teachers in the state cried out protesting the threat to withhold their monthly pay if they resisted the imposition.

 “At least 10 teachers have contacted reporters with evidence of text messages compelling them to attend rallies at SUBEB offices across the state by 11AM today with their voters cards.

 “Teachers were compelled to attend the rally dressed in Edo BEST blue T-shirts. They were also mandated to attend the rally with their teachers tabs. Other members of the school, non-teaching staff were also given colour coded uniforms to appear in. It was reported that if the teachers were absent from the rally, they would be denied their pay.

 “One of the teachers, craving anonymity for fear of her pay, complained that, ‘I don’t know why they are forcing us to attend these rallies. The Edobest that they are shouting about is the worst. Our students performed badly at the common entrance examinations’.”

But in a swift reaction, the Publicity Secretary of Edo State chapter of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Chris Nehikhare described the allegation as so childish and outlandish that responding to it will be giving attention to the drab campaign been run by APC. 

"The accusations is so childish and outlandish that responding to it will be giving attention to the drab campaign been run by APC. We have more pressing and important issue to discuss and not the rants of a campaign struggling and grasping for oxygen!"