The Edo State government has raised the alarm over alleged desperate attempt to cover lost ground in the state by the Presidency, which it said has resorted to the use of smear campaign against the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Also, the state government said there are plans to clamp down on the All Progressives Congress (APC) faithful in the state, including members of the state executive council, to cow the people of the state and pave way for the rigging of the forthcoming election in the state.

A statement signed by the state commissioner for information, Mr Louis Odion, said: “We wish to alert the Nigerian public, foreign election observers and lovers of democracy to an evil plot by the presidency to clamp down on APC in a last-ditch attempt to rig the coming general elections in Edo State in favour of PDP.

“The devilish design consists of a vicious smear campaign against Edo governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in form of newspaper adverts/articles and sponsored television documentaries dripping of lies and slander as well as intimidation and detention of APC leaders across the 18 councils in the state on trumped up charges”.