From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) has charged its members in Edo State to prepare to defend their votes in the September 21 governorship election.
Its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, who gave the charge, at a press briefing, in Abuja, yesterday, decried alleged intimidation of its members by security operatives.
Ologunagba while noting that its gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, has traversed the entire state to engage the people in an issue-based campaign, the All Progressives Congress ( APC) is allegedly resorted to intimidating, so as to frighten the people from coming out to vote.
“Our party has also been alerted that the APC has given fake police and military uniforms and dangerous weapons to their thugs to unleash violence on the people of Edo State on election day.
“These harassments, arrests and torture of PDP members and supporters are going on with the knowledge of the Edo State Commissioner of and the entreaties by the PDP to IGP to put such to and end have not received the desired attention.
“Against this backdrop the PDP states in clear terms that our Party and the people of Edo State will not fold our hands and allow the APC to intimidate the people, subvert or rig the Saturday, September 21, 2024 Edo State Governorship election.”
“The PDP and the people of Edo State are for peace but if the APC wants trouble, the PDP and the people of Edo State will use every legitimate weapon and means available in a democratic resistance to fight back, head-to-head and with overwhelming force to protect and ensure that nobody subverts the Will of the people at the poll.
“The PDP in very clear terms cautions that from henceforth any APC thug, fake or compromised security operatives that attempt to abduct any innocent citizen of Edo State, attempt to snatch ballot box or cause any crisis on election will know that Edo no bi Kogi.
“The PDP therefore directs all our members and supporters across Edo State to get ready for election. They should equip themselves with all necessary self-defence mechanisms to defend their Will and our democracy.
“The PDP directs all our members and supporters to go to their respective polling units with enough food, water, medication, mats, spare clothes, smart phones and other essential items.
“They should remain calm, law-abiding, vote peacefully but alert and ready to defend their votes. After casting their votes, they should stay back peacefully and ensure that their votes are counted and results directly uploaded before leaving.”
Meanwhile, former vice president and presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar
has enjoined the people of Edo to vote wisely.
In a message he tagged: “The Clear Choice for a Prosperous Edo State” post on his twitter handle, he said: “As the good citizens of Edo State prepare to make their voices heard this Saturday, the 21st of September, 2024, let us reflect on the immense power within our grasp. The power to break free from the chains of bad governance, the power to chart a new course for our beloved state. That power lies in your vote, a precious tool for change.
“The APC has donned the mask of a friend to the masses, but behind this veil lies a sinister reality. They have lured gullible voters with sweet promises, only to reveal their true nature— a party driven by a hunger for power rather than the well-being of the people. They have forsaken the ideals of governance, ignoring the cries of the common man while pursuing their own selfish ambitions.
“Under their watch, Nigeria has been plunged into an abyss of suffering. They have sown seeds of poverty, despair, and insecurity. The once vibrant spirit of our nation has been dimmed by a relentless struggle for survival, where even the simplest of needs, like food, have become out of reach for millions. In this grim reality, our people are not dying of disease but of hunger. We stand at the lowest point in our nation’s governance.
“The APC has not served the people; they have served themselves. And when the people, rightfully aggrieved, have raised their voices in protest, they have been silenced, dragged to courts under charges of treason. Meanwhile, the APC’s leaders bask in luxury, indifferent to the hardship that grips the nation.
“But there is hope. In this dark landscape, Dr. Asue Ighodalo shines as a beacon of integrity and vision. His candidacy offers a path to redemption for Edo State. Where the APC has faltered, Ighodalo stands firm, ready to serve with competence and a genuine commitment to the people’s welfare.
“People of Edo State, the time has come to use the power vested in you. As you go to the polls, ask yourself: Has the APC made your life better, or have they only deepened your struggles? The answer is clear. Your vote for Ighodalo will not only bring change to Edo State but will also send a resounding message across Nigeria that we reject the deceit and self-serving ways of the APC.
“For nearly a decade, the APC has betrayed the people. They criticized past leaders for raising fuel prices, yet today, they preside over an era where fuel costs soar above N900 per litre. Their cruelty and disregard for the plight of the masses are unmatched. A vote for the APC is a vote for the continuation of misery, hunger, and despair.
“Open your eyes, Edo State. Do not be swayed by the empty promises of the APC. Electing Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the PDP is not just a vote; it is an act of reclaiming our future. It is a choice to consolidate the good work of Governor Godwin Obaseki and to build a future of prosperity, dignity, and hope.
Let us march to the polls this Saturday, united in our resolve to bring about the change we so desperately need. Let us cast our votes for Asue Ighodalo and usher in a new dawn for Edo State. The power is yours. Use it wisely. -AA”
