Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has raised the concern over an alleged plot by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and the security agencies to subvert the will of the people in the forthcoming senatorial and House of Representatives by-elections in Edo Central and Ovia Federal constituency.
The PDP said Credible intelligence at its disposal shows a multi pronged plan involving the inducement of voters with cash, the smuggling of prewritten result sheets into collation centres with the active collusion of compromised INEC officials, and the use of the Nigerian Police Force to unlawfully deny duly accredited PDP agents access to collation centres.
It said in addition, they have uncovered plans to unleash armed thugs to violently disrupt voting in known PDP strongholds.
According to the party “We note with grave concern that Governor Monday Okpebholo and APC chieftains, notably Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, have effectively invaded Edo State to personally supervise and coordinate this assault on democracy.
“This brazen move is aimed at producing a violent and manipulated outcome that bears no resemblance to the true will of the people.
“Democracy is about the will of the people freely expressed at the ballot box, not the will of desperate politicians imposed at gunpoint.
“We strongly condemn this reckless descent into electoral banditry and warn that the people of Edo State will not allow their mandate to be stolen through fear, intimidation, and manufactured results.
“We call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Commander in Chief, to make an unambiguous public declaration directing all security agencies to resist partisan manipulation and to act in strict neutrality. The security forces must not, in any form, become the armed wing of the APC in Edo State.
It said that in line with its commitment to defend democracy, the PDP has directed all its members, supporters, and well meaning citizens to stand firm, resist these undemocratic elements, and protect their votes by all and any means necessarily permitted by law. The days of sitting idly by while political buccaneers steal the ballot are over.
According to the party “We restate our faith in the people of Edo State and in their resolve to reject inducement, intimidation, and manipulation.
“The PDP will stand shoulder to shoulder with them until their votes count and their voices are heard”.