365NEWS reports that as political campaigns intensify ahead of the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, Udoh Oberaifo, the African Action Congress (AAC) candidate, has raised concerns over three alleged kidnap attempts on his life.
Oberaifo claimed that during his campaign efforts, he narrowly escaped three separate kidnapping attempts.
Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday in Benin City, he further alleged that security agencies have withdrawn the personnel assigned to protect him.
He also accused authorities of ordering the removal of his campaign billboards across Benin City, despite having paid for the advertising space. The outdoor agency involved reportedly informed him that they had been instructed not to display his campaign materials.
Oberaifo expressed his dedication to serving the people of Edo State with integrity and fairness, emphasizing that his campaign was rooted in the belief that democracy should provide a level playing field for all candidates.
However, he stated that his safety has been compromised, describing the kidnapping attempts as targeted attacks intended to silence him and disrupt the democratic process. He also voiced concerns about his security details being withdrawn, leaving him vulnerable despite having raised the issue through official channels.
Oberaifo revealed that he had written to the Inspector General of Police and met with the Deputy Inspector General in Abuja, who assured him that instructions would be sent to the relevant police commands to address the issue. However, he is still waiting for action to be taken to restore his security.
He warned that the situation poses a threat not only to his life but also to the democratic process in Edo State. Oberaifo called on the government, security agencies, and the people of Edo State to recognize the seriousness of the situation and take immediate steps to ensure his safety.
He vowed not to be intimidated and to continue his fight for a better Edo State, stressing that in a true democracy, no candidate should succeed through fear and intimidation. He emphasized the need for fairness, justice, and equal opportunity for all candidates.
Efforts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Mujiwa Adejobi, for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
