Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has sharply criticized the Nigerian Presidency for endorsing the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election, Monday Okpebholo, through its official channel.

Effiong’s criticism came in response to a post on the Presidency’s official X handle on Saturday night, where Vice President Kashim Shettima publicly encouraged Edo citizens to support Okpebholo, asserting that his leadership would foster an effective state.

Effiong condemned the endorsement in a statement, accusing the APC of systematically undermining every national institution. He argued that such actions reflect a troubling trend of politicizing state mechanisms and compromising democratic integrity.

The post read, “Vote Okpebholo to birth a functional State, Vice President Kashim Shettima urges Edo citizens.

“Says state will benefit from positive change with increased federal allocation.”

However, Effiong, a lawyer focused on public interest, stated that utilizing an official government handle for partisan campaigns is unacceptable.

He also characterized it as a complete manifestation of State capture.

Effiong said, “This is despicable but not surprising; the APC has rubbished every institution in this country.

“Using official government handles for partisan campaigns is egregious. State capture in full force.”