By Akinwale Kasali
Prince Uche Secondus, the National Chairman of opposition Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has warned that Edo election may be the last held in the country should anyone rig it.
Secondus who gave the warning on Tuesday, September 15, 2020, in Benin at the campaign grand finale for the PDP governorship candidate, noted that “if security agencies fail to fulfill their promise of being non-partisan, Edo election may be the last in Nigeria.
“Security agencies have made promises. We want to see if they will fulfill their promises. If they fail to fulfill their promises, there might not be election again in Nigeria. It should be one man one vote.”
Seconds lamented that Nigeria’s democracy is sitting on a keg of gun powder because of rigging, and called on world powers to rein in election riggers in the country.
“I have a special message for the Federal Government. The Edo election is a special election, the entire world is interested in Edo election. The American government is putting everything in place to curb election rigging in Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s democracy is sitting on a keg of gunpowder because of rigging. Rigging must stop here in Edo, if not, it will be difficult to carry on election in Nigeria,” he said.
The PDP National Chairman called on the people of Edo to vote enmasse for Obaseki because of his sterling performance.
He also noted that the best punishment for APC and its leaders is to vote for the PDP.
“Punish APC, punish Oshiomhole by voting for Obaseki on Saturday,” he added.
Present at the rally were former Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections, Peter Obi; Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; Chairman, South-south Governors’ Forum and Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa; Governors Nyesom Wike, Seyi Makinde, Ben Ayade, Duoye Diri, Victor Ikpeazu, Udom Emmanuel of Rivers, Oyo, Cross-Rivers, Bayelsa, Abia, Akwa Ibom states respectively, among other dignitaries.
Also speaking at the PDP rally, Candidate of the PDP, Godwin Obaseki declared that with the support of Edo people and endorsements by over 100 groups in the state, he is certain of victory in Saturday’s gubernatorial election in the state.
According to Obaseki, “I don’t have anything to say to you my Edo people but to thank you; you have been wonderful especially as we went through the 192 wards to seek your support for reelection.
“We will win this election because, so far, over 100 groups have endorsed me for the race. With groups like the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) and other groups in the state behind me, tell me how we will lose the election?”
Obaseki continued: “Democracy is not a government of godfathers but a government of the people, by the people and for the people. In Edo we have been fighting godfatherism and by Saturday we will put an end to it, and after that go Lagos and put an end to godfatherism in Nigeria.
“The godfather disturbing Nigeria came up this morning. He is afraid because he knows when we finish that of Edo, we will come for him in Lagos and finally end godfatherism in Nigeria”.
On his part, Tambuwal urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure the conduct of a free, fair and credible poll in the state.
He said: “I learnt they are coming to Edo with a bullion van; don’t sell your votes; vote and protect your votes.
“I am appealing to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair and credible election. I also want to appeal to all the security agencies not to intimidate anybody on election day. Even when you are being intimidated, don’t run home, stay back and protect your votes.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State in his remarks noted that, “this is the first time a governor went round from ward-to-ward to campaign. As you vote, remain vigilant and shine your eyes. No one can cheat the majority. Edo will not be left out; all South-south states are PDP, so we don’t want anybody to cheat on us.”
In his address, Chairman of the Edo State Governorship Campaign Council of the PDP, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State said, “If we must fight and put an end to godfatherism in Nigeria, it must start on Saturday in Edo State. The IGP has assured us of a secure election in Edo and the INEC Chairman has, also, assured Edo people of a free, fair and credible election but don’t let us go and sleep with all these promises but stay awake and be vigilant and ensure that Obaseki wins.
“Obaseki must be voted for, to bring an end to godfatherism in Nigeria. The Edo election is important as it will show the way out to eliminate godfatherism in Nigeria.”
The election holds on Saturday, September 19.
To discourage its being corrupted, the USA, to the applause of many, has barred some politicians, involved in the rigging of the 2019 Bayelsa and Kogi Governorship Elections from the US. It also extended that to those involved, so far, in the up-coming Edo and Ondo Governorship Elections.
The United Kingdom, also says it would not only bar election riggers from the UK, it would drag them to the International Court, as well as seize their assets.
Most Nigerians support the move, and have asked the European Union and Dubai to do the same.
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