APC Welcomes Threat By PDP To Boycott Edo Poll, Says Gov Obaseki Can’t Dictate Terms

By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Campaign Council in Edo State has expressed confidence in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police to conduct a hitch free election next week.

The Campaign Council, while reacting to threat by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to boycott the election, citing credibility of some of the officials, stated that the PDP cannot dictate the terms of the election.

In a statement, signed by Kassim Afegbua spokesman of APC council maintained that PDP stand was an insult to Edo people.

PDP had doubted the credibility of the INEC commissioner and Police head to superintend over a peaceful and hitch free poll.

APC statement reads “We have just been informed that Governor Obaseki just held a Press Conference where he threatened to boycott next Saturday’s Gubernatorial election, unless the State Commissioner of Police and the Resident Electoral Commissioner are removed from office.

“These requests of Governor Obaseki are rogue, ludicrous, ridiculous, self- serving, egocentric and palpably insulting to the good people of Edo State.

“It is laughable that Governor Obaseki, who is not a candidate in this election, is seeking to pick and choose the terms of the election: he is trying to be clever by half, in his delusion that he can choose his own referee to officiate in a contest that will field his godson, Asue Ighodalo.

“We wish to state unequivocally and in round terms, that the Edo people have sturdy and unwavering confidence in the Resident Electoral Commissioner, and ditto for the Commissioner of Police.

“They are doing well to ensure that the election of 21st September, is hitch-free, fair, and credible. We wish to commend these officers for their work thus far, and for their ability to withstand the pressures of Governor Obaseki, who we are reliably informed, has tried unremittingly to influence these officers to do his selfish bidding, without any luck.

“His latest threat is borne out of frustration and disaffection. Most probably, he has forgotten the meaning of “NO,” hence his threat to go apostate.

“We commend the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, for taking the bold decision to disband the Edo Security Network, which has operated like a killer Squad in the State.

“We reiterate hereby, that we are for peaceful, free, and fair election conduct. All the candidates have traversed the length and breadth of the State, and it is clear that the APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo is the people’s choice!!

“We recognize the root of Governor Obaseki’s scratch side gambit, explicated above, hence his uninspiring attempt to blackmail the REC and the Commissioner of Police; he thinks he is a juggernaut; he will meet the rock of Gibraltar.

“We welcome the PDP’s planned boycott of 21st September Gubernatorial election, and hope that it counts against them. We call on all our members to exercise pacific comportment, as we look forward to the election, and victory of the APC.

“Nobody need be perturbed by the shallow argument of Governor Obaseki and his godson; they are just trying to create self-serving rules for themselves-other possible options [OPO].

“Elections are not a do or die affair, but a process of choosing who will make Edo State great!!! We are assured of victory, Deo Volente; in the election and in governance. If Governor Obaseki and his party, the PDP, renege on their threat to boycott this election, we will conclude that they are mere lilliputian politicians, gallivanting in the wheel of failure, without balls.”