Politics

Edo Election: Be Ready to Face the Wrath of the People- PDP Tells APC over Attacks

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strongly warns the All Progressives Congress (APC) to be ready to face the full impact of the wrath of the people of Edo State if it continues in its violent attacks and harassment of innocent citizens of the State

The National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Debo Ologunagba, issued the warning at a media briefing in Abuja.

According to him, the warning is on the backdrop of continuing attacks, harassment and illegal arrest of innocent citizens of Edo State by APC leaders in connivance with certain compromised police operatives, as part of APC’s desperate bid to scare the people from coming out to vote and seize the opportunity to rig the September 21, 2024 Governorship election.

Since it became clear that the PDP Candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo is coasting to a landslide victory with the overwhelming support of over 68% of the expected votes, the APC and its candidate, Monday Okpebholo have been desperate to use violence and harassment to break the Will of the people of Edo State

It will be recalled that the PDP on Monday, September 2, 2024 alerted on how the APC in connivance with certain compromised security operatives have been harassing, arresting and detaining innocent citizens of Edo State, notable among whom are Mr. Kingsley Osahon who was arrested in Uromi, Mr. Odion Bright and Mr. Timothy Isibor who were arrested in Igueben.

On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, an attempt was made by the said APC-controlled operatives to arrest Chief Francis Inegbeniki, who recently defected from the APC to the PDP.

Also last week Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the APC’s agent stormed the house of one Shina who decamped from the APC to the PDP three weeks ago and forcefully took him away while shooting sporadically to scare the people. On Tuesday, September 3, 2024 an attempt was made to pick Mr. Joel Aidamebor which was firmly resisted by the people.

There are reports in the public domain that the APC has established a torture squad which has been picking innocent Edo citizens and taking them to unknown destinations.

Only yesterday, Sunday, September 8, 2024, thugs and hoodlums recruited by APC leaders attacked PDP rally in Edo North and destroyed campaign materials in an assault that was decisively resisted by our courageous members and supporters in Edo North, where our candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo commands overwhelming support and solidarity.

This resort to harassment and violence only shows that the APC and its irredeemably empty and confused candidate are cowards who are intimidated and terrified by the soaring popularity of Dr. Asue Ighodalo across Edo State
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The recent public comment by the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo that he will provide the people of Edo State “with insecurity”, is not a slip but a subconscious confession triggered by preponderance of APC meetings and discussion on schemes to visit the people of Edo State with violence before and during the election.

What else do you expect from a candidate whose godfather is the lying, oppressive, widow-suppressing, go-and-die Adams Oshiomhole?

Moreover, the PDP already has information of how the APC and its candidate are importing thugs from Imo State, some of who curiously appear in the INEC list to serve as SPOs for the election. These APC thugs from Imo State should know that the people of Edo are already aware of their sinister plan and it will be in their interest to steer clear of Edo State.

The APC must note that nobody has the monopoly of violence and that nobody is above the law. APC and its candidate are practically pushing the people of Edo State to the wall; they should know that there is a limit to what a people can stomach in the face of aggression and be ready the face the consequences if they fails to desist from these dastardly acts.

The people of Edo State have had enough from the APC and will use every legitimate means allowed in a democracy to defend themselves by directly and physically confronting and resisting the APC in its desperate plot to derail the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

The PDP as a law-abiding and applying Party that stands for the interest of the people will not fold its hands and watch the APC harass the peope of Edo State.

Our Party will within the ambit of the law stop at nothing in contending with the APC, head-to-head in all ramifications, magnitude and force where necessary to protect our democracy and ensure that the Will of the people of Edo State is not subverted in this election.

The PDP is standing shoulder-to shoulder with the people of Edo State in their resolve to protect their State and democracy and anybody no matter how highly place who in any way attempt to subvert the Will of the people of Edo State in this election will definitely face the consequences.

The PDP again calls on the Inspector General of Police to wade in and halt the activities of the APC which is now pitching the people of Edo State against the Police. The IGP should ensure the immediate and unconditional release of every Edo citizen being detained by the APC.

The IGP owes a duty to the people of Edo State and the Nation, in the perseveration of peace and sustenance of democracy, to address this issue before it escalates. This is the only way to douse the tension in Edo State and reassure the people of a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

Our Party salutes the people of Edo State for their courage, determination and urges them to remain vigilant in their readiness to protect democracy, their votes and the firm desire and expression to elect Dr. Asue Ighodalo as the next governor of Edo State in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

Politics

Katsina govt dismisses coalition, says members are disgruntled

The Governor of Katsina State, Dikko Radda, has dismissed the newly formed coalition of political parties and has described those behind it as disgruntled persons who are unhappy because they are not in government.

“Let’s be realistic. Let’s tell ourselves the truth. The time for deceiving Nigerians is over.

“Who was not in the government in the last regime? Who is not in government? We know the track record of everyone,” Radda said on a national tv program .

“We know what they have done when they were in government, and they are now crying and shouting because they are outside of the government.”

The coalition, which was newly unveiled, had adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after months of talks. It appointed a former Senate President, David Mark, as interim national chairman; a former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, as secretary, and Bolaji Abdullahi as spokesman.

In his acceptance speech, Mark accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government of turning Nigeria into a one-party state.

The unveiling of the platform has since triggered a barrage of reactions from opposition politicians, with Radda the latest high-profile personality to question the coalition’s sincerity.

Governor Radda said the group should come out with its agenda for the country and sell itself to Nigerians.

“Let’s be realistic,” the governor said. “If we are coming with something new to Nigerians, every Nigerian is going to embrace it.

He said, “Who are these people in this coalition? Why were they not in another coalition before? What are they going to come and do differently from what is happening in the country now? Can they promise Nigerians what they are going to bring about?

“Let them come out and tell Nigerians, those who want to contest for president in this election. Let them come and tell Nigerians, are they going to bring the subsidy back?

“And if they are going to bring subsidy back, let them tell Nigerians how they are going to run the government, and with what resources are they going to run the government, and with what resources are they going to pay to bring about the subsidy.”

The coalition includes some heavyweight politicians, such as a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi of the Labour Party, and a former governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

Others are a former Rivers governor, Rotimi Amaechi; Senator Dino Melaye; ex-minister, Solomon Dalong; publisher, Dele Momodu; ex-Benue governor, Gabriel Suswam; Senator Ireti Kingibe; and a former Imo governor, Emeka Ihedioha..

Politics

ADC alleges plot to undermine coalition

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised the alarm over a desperate plot to undermine and destabilise the growing opposition coalition in Nigeria.

This is contained in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s interim National Publicity Secretary.

Abdullahi alleged that former ADC state chairmen and key officials in the North-East and North-West were summoned to a secret meeting with top government officials.

“We have credible intelligence that the aim of this meeting is not national security or peacebuilding,” Abdullahi said.

He described the move as an attempt to co-opt these individuals into a fabricated plot against the opposition coalition.

“This is not politics; this is outright sabotage,” Abdullahi declared.

He said the motive was to sow confusion, delegitimise ADC’s new leadership, and derail its growing momentum as the face of the opposition.

Abdullahi, who is also the coalition’s national spokesperson, said it formed part of a wider effort to entrench one-party rule.

He claimed the July 1 coalition declaration and July 2 ADC unveiling had clearly unsettled the ruling party.

“The coalition is an idea whose time has come,” he said, declaring the party belonged to all Nigerians tired of lies and hardship.

“It belongs to those who want to restore decency, vision, and justice to governance,” he added.

He vowed that the party would resist any attempt to impose one-party dictatorship by all democratic means.

Abdullahi called on President Bola Tinubu to take note of the actions of some of his appointees and rein them in.

He further urged the President to prove to Nigerians that he remains committed to democratic principles. (NAN)

Politics

PDP BoT member defects to ADC, cites loss of credibility

A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party and Board of Trustees member, Adamu Waziri, has resigned from the party and joined the African Democratic Congress.

Waziri announced his decision on Monday at his Dogo Tebo Ward in Potiskum, Yobe State.

He said the move was in line with the PDP constitution, which requires formal resignation at the ward level.

Explaining his decision, Waziri said the PDP no longer reflects the values of a credible opposition.“I was a member of PDP, and due to the exigencies of the moment and in the interest of the nation, I have decided to resign,” he said. Punch