PDP Rally In Edo: Govt Alleges Plan To Cause Chaos

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Government has warned trouble makers to desist from plans to disrupt the Presidential campaign rally of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), scheduled to hold in the state, on Saturday.

A statement in Benin by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Osarodion Ogie, said that the Government will not hesitate to bring the full weight of the law to bear on any individual involved in the nefarious act.

Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), Col David Imuse, Rtd, had earlier alleged that Governor Godwin Obaseki was planning to coerce civil servants to attend the PDP Presidential Campaign rally.

According to the APC chairman, the plot by  Governor Obaseki to hide under the Supreme Court judgment in the case of INEC vs Musa cannot hold water because it did not anyway set aside or nullify rules 030422 and 030423 of the Public Service.

“The extant rules ban civil servants, whether on duty or leave of absence from offering himself/herself or nominating anyone else as a candidate for any elective public office, indicate publicly his/her support of or opposition to any party, candidate or policy and engage in canvassing in support of political candidates.

“Accordingly, in the overall best interest of neutrality, harmony, integrity and development of Edo Civil Service, all civil servants are strongly advised to reject and resist every attempt to drag them into partisan politics and endeavor to completely insulate themselves.”

But, Ogie noted that the Government will ensure that the thugs are not only apprehended, but tried and prosecuted in accordance with the State’s criminal conspiracy and public disturbance law.

“These individuals are hereby warned that the government will bring the full weight of the law upon any individual involved in this reprehensible act.

“We will ensure that they are not only apprehended, but tried and prosecuted in accordance with the state’s criminal conspiracy and public disturbance law.”

The scribe added that the unscrupulous individuals were intimidated by what he described as the momentum of the large and organic following that the PDP enjoys in the state, disclosing that the plot to cause chaos and discredit the rally was hatched at a meeting.

“These mischief makers plan to plant dissidents who will hold insignia and emblems of other political parties and make chants during the PDP campaign rally with the intent to create a false impression of crisis and disrupt the rally.

“The government is fully aware of this reckless plan which will clearly put the lives and property of Edo people in danger.”

Two factions of the PDP are laying claim to control of the machinery of the party in the state.