Edo state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has dismissed what it described as spurious allegation made by the Obaseki Campaign Organisation, about “destruction of their bill boards and posters by suspected supporters of the PDP.
The party said it is an attemp to confuse Edo people, saying that “the PDP were mobilizing thugs under the guise of protesting Local Government Workers to commence the destruction of posters and bill boards of the APC candidate Obaseki, warning that such action will be resisted.”
A statement issued on Sunday by Edo PDP Publicity Secretary, Chris O Nehikhare, states:
“We wish to alert Edo people to the devious plans and schemes of the ruling APC government. As a peace loving party, we carry our messages to the people, not destroying property. Instead the ruling APC has already left its devious trail on the polity:
1. Just 24hrs ago, our governorship running mate, John Yakubu addressed a small rally of over 250 youths, women and men on Akenzua road in Benin City, at about 5.30pm. Soon afte he left the venue with his convoy, men of the Nigeria Police swooped in and arrested many of the youths claiming they were cultists who just had an “outdoor meeting”.
2. On the 6th of August, we received warnings from two reliable top government sources, that the State government has perfected a plan to arrest a number of PDP chieftains and leaders on the eve of the elections. The sources said the persons were named in a list which was approved by the Governor himself and his aides.
3. The same sources also noted that these are all detailed in a grand plan to intimidate and antagonise our teeming members and supporters all over the state. We recall that this plan was put into action a month ago when the PDP Chairman of Etsako East, Abdulganiyu was arrested and brutalised by the Police and APC supporters under the guise of settling a rift between the two parties. The real reason was the explosive rally organised by the Chairman in Okpella.
In the light of the foregoing, the Peoples Democratic Party, Edo State chapter wishes to reassure its member, supporters and the general public that we are committed to a peaceful election in Edo state, the same way we did last year which gave us the victory in the Presidential election. Our campaigns across the state have been very successful and our message of changing the “change”, youth empowerment, end to double taxation and patronize local SME has given the people hope, and they can not find a better expression of this hope than to exercise their civic rights to vote APC out.
We assure you that no amount of intimidation, arrests and coercion will deter us from leading Edo people to victory on September 10th.
APC should accept that their posters if been destroyed as as a result of their failed policies and rejection by Edo youths, the disrespected Edo voter and the unpaid local government workers, pensioners, teachers, judicial workers, market women and traders.
PDP has no reason to want their posters destroyed as the proliferation of the posters is another sign of the governments insensitive to the feelings of Edo people who have been denied salaries and allowances because the government was preparing for elections!
