Edo Central Bye-elections: APC ,PDP Fight Dirty

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, on Friday, August 15, 2025, vehemently rejected claims that it is planning to disrupt the conduct of Saturday’s State and National Assemblies by-elections in Edo State .

The Source reports that the All Progressive Congress, APC, Chairman Edo state chapter Jarret Tenebe had, in a statement alleged that a prominent PDP chieftain Chief Francis Inegbeniki has engaged the services of thugs and miscreants to unleash violence in Edo Central Senatorial District with the aim of disrupting the polls.

The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC is scheduled to hold by-elections in Edo Central Senatorial District and Ovia Federal Constituency  on August 16 ,2025, owing to the vacancies created by Governor Monday Okpebholo’ and his Deputy

Both were at the National Assembly before their election in the September 21 2024 off-circle gubernatorial polls.

The APC Chairman also called on security agencies in the to arrest and probe Inegbeniki over the murder of Police  Inspector Unor Akor .

But, in a statement on Friday, Chief Inegbeniki dismissed Tenebe’s allegations as not only malicious and false but also totally misleading.

He stated that he was not surprised at the laughable and mischievous allegations by the APC Chairman, noting that he is only behaving true to   his character, as someone who talks before thinking.

This is as he urged voters and members of the general public to ignore the APC Chairman’s unfounded claims and go about their normal activities.

“My attention has been drawn to a press release signed by Emperor Jarret Tenebe ,where my name was mentioned as one of those mobilizing thugs to disrupt the Saturday election in Esan land (Edo Central Senatorial District).

“I take exception to that reckless statement . It is clear Tenebe should not be taken seriously. Jarret is known for talking before thinking.

“Once again, I deny any involvement in the death of the Police man, Inspector Unoh Akor. I was not at Airport Road on the day of the incident, neither did I plan or conspire with anyone.

“I am innocent of the allegations. It is now clear that it was Jarret Tenebe that framed up the allegations against me just to smear my hard earned reputation . I was not involved”, the PDP chieftain  stated.