By Iduozee Paul Benin
The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), has alleged that the All Progressives Congress, (APC) is printing illegal Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs which the opposition party intends to use to rig the governorship election in the state on September 19, 2020.
The party also accused APC of fomenting troubles in the state with the aim of compelling the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to postpone the election.
The publicity secretary, PDP, Chris Nehikhare made the allegation at a press conference in Benin City with journalists on the recent shooting that took place during the PDP rally at Apana in Edo North.
Chris stated: “We wrote letters not only to INEC, but to the DSS, the police and other security agencies to give them our itineraries for this campaign, and Owan West was one of those which we gave the date but to our surprise, APC chose the same day for Estako West, to visit the same area.
“But our intelligence report told us that they were doing this deliberately to have a clash because from the beginning, all they are being interested in, is the area of trying to have the election postponed, trying to cause troubles, so that the election will not hold on September 19 because they are aware that as it is the day they will be defeated roundly and very decisively. So, it is in their interest that they postpone the election”.
He alleged that the PDP also notified the security agencies that the APC is printing and that the security agencies have decided to turn a blind eye to the allegations.
“The PDP has uncovered and formally reported to relevant authorities, the various plans by the APC to compromise the forthcoming election through the duplication, cloning and mass-production of the Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) which they intend to give to their agents and thugs to vote with,” the PDP spokesperson said.
He said PDP is waiting on security agencies to do the needful.
“PDP looks forward to seeing the security agencies act to the effect of arresting individuals involved in this act capable of affecting the true wish of the people”.
Commenting on the ongoing campaigns, Chris said, “Our Ward to Ward Campaign strategy is yielding positive responses as only four wards of the entire Edo North are left to be covered”.
According to him, “Governor Obaseki’s ward to ward campaign has rattled the APC to the extent that they are left with no other option than to create tension in the polity”.
Said he: “ The Edo Peoples’ Campaign train headed by Governor Godwin Obaseki will on Monday move to Edo Central, the traditional home of the PDP where the governor will reassure his people of Esan Land of continued government patronage in infrastructure, health, job creation, among others.”
