Tension has erupted in Akoko-Edo as angry residents chased away Governor Usman Ododo of Kogi State, accusing him of attempting to rig the upcoming Edo State governorship election in favour of his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ododo, who arrived in the area just hours before the election, was said to have stormed the community with heavily armed thugs from Kogi State and a large security detail, to intimidate voters and prepare for election rigging.
The residents, however, stood their ground, voicing their opposition to his presence and accusing the governor of using the same methods that led to his controversial victory in the Kogi governorship election.
Holding placards and chanting “We no go gree, Ododo must go, we no go gree!”, the Akoko-Edo people demanded that the governor and his entourage leave their land immediately.
Eyewitnesses report that the residents were determined to resist any attempts at electoral manipulation, insisting they would not allow external forces to interfere in their democratic process.
The confrontation has heightened tensions in the area ahead of the highly anticipated election.
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