By Francis Onoiribholo Bureau Chief Benin
The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum on Saturday said that the Edo governorship election scheduled for Sept 21, would be a test for Nigeria’s democracy.
Damagum Made this known during the grand finale campaign rally of PDP held in Benin.
He called on Nigerian and the international community to be at alert and watch the Edo election closely to ensure it was not manipulated.
He called on the security agencies to remember that they were being paid salaries with tax payers money adding that, they should ensure professionalism and justice during and after election.
“From your campaign trains, the people of Edo accepted our candidate they know that they have already decided not to vote insecurity, hunger and bad governance.
“I want to use this opportunity to tell our security agencies. You are paid with taxpayers money. You have to accord the values for which you are created.
“Yet, a situation where you decides to take part, let me make this very clear, you have to kill or arrest all of us if you have to take this state.
According to him, we will be here and be with you and we are ready to give our vote and blood for our right.
The Chairman, National Campaign Council of Edo Election and Governor of Adamawa, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri warned against compromisation of the electoral process.
Fintiri, who urged the people to come out enmass next Saturday and vote for PDP, said Edo was known as the gradle of civilization and intellectual in Nigeria, noting that they must not settle for anything less.
Fintiri who likened Ighodalo to Obaseki, noted that governor Godwin Obaseki has done his best for the state and left a landmark in terms of human capital development.
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“We cannot be intimidated. We will tell them we know how to win election. No body will rig us out.”
“You cannot at this point of our history, where insecurity have engulfed everywhere, bring someone who has said he is going to bring insecurity to Edo, ” Fintiri said.
Gov. Godwin Obaseki, in his remarks, noted the governorship election was an existential threat, saying that, it would be a do or die election.
According to him, with all the achievements we have recorded in Edo, we do not want to go back to the dark old days, if they take this state, we will die.
Also speaking, the chairman of PDP governor’s forum and governor of Bauchi, Bala Muhammed said contrary to speculations of division among PDP governors, the PDP governors were united and solidily behind Obaseki and Asue Ighodalo.
Also, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, in his goodwill message, said the PDP candidate had garnered enough experience to tackle the economic crisis.
“One dollar to naira was exchanging for N190,00 when the PDP left power in 2015, but now exchanging for N1,600, “.
According to him, the choice is Edo peoples own to make because the cost of living is now astronomically high.
Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the Former Vice President, said urged the electorate to protect and defend their votes.
According to him, make sure you cast your votes, ensure they are counted, escort your votes to the collation centre and make sure they are announced.
In his welcome address, the state PDP chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi said Edo people would never be intimidated adding that, the finale rally marks the rebirth of the PDP.
On his part, the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo, shortly after receiving the party’s flag from the acting national chairman, promise to build on the foundation of development Obaseki had laid.
Present at the rally were all PDP governors, Speakers of Edo and Delta, PDP senators and House of Representatives members, religious leaders, PDP women and youth leaders among others.
