LP Accuses APC, PDP On Plots To Destabilize Supplementary Elections in Edo State
… Labour Party in Edo South is an extension of PDP – Peter Igbinigie
By Simeon OSAJIE
The Edo State chapter of Labour Party (LP) has alleged that credible information at its disposal has it that, the APC and PDP have perfected plans to frustrate the conduct of free, fair and peaceful supplementary elections in the state come 15th April, 2023.
In a press statement which emanated from the office of the party Publicity Secretary, Comrade Sam Uroupa called on INEC in collaboration with the security agencies to ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of the supplementary elections in Edo State.
The state reads, “We have to sound the alarm on behalf of the Edo State Labour Party and all peace loving people of the State to draw the attention of the INEC boss, the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police Edo State, the Brigade commander, 4 Brigade Benin City, Director State Security Services (DSS) Edo State Command and all lovers of Democracy across the world that plans have reached an advance stage by both the PDP and APC in connivance with some INEC staffs at the affected LGAs and Wards to compile and smuggle in fake results at the various polling units and collation centers.
“This is to notify the various agencies concern to be at alert of the obnoxious plans by these unscrupulous elements, and for you to use your good offices to stop the action and its disastrous consequences.
“We are equally aware of the plans of some PDP State actors to sponsor violence against our Candidates and the electorates to disrupt the smooth conduct of the election specifically in Orhionmwon (ward 9 & 10)/Uhunmwonde (some units) Federal Constituency Supplementary Elections, Oredo East (ward 1, 2, 3 and 12) and Egor (Ward 4 and three other units) for the Houses of Assembly Supplementary Elections.
“We wish to remind INEC once again that Labour Party is already in the lead in these affected places but the powers that be are bent on denying Labour Party the victory.
“In view of the above, we sincerely request that INEC in collaboration with the security agencies should ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of the supplementary elections in Edo State.
“Labour Party is a patriotic political party with Social Democratic Ideals, we guarantee the Continuous co- operation of the leaders and all members of Labour Party with INEC and the security agencies in Edo State for the conduct of credible and acceptable elections.
“Credible election and the protection of lives and properties before, during and after the election are major concern of the leadership and members of Labour Party in Edo State.”
In his reaction through a telephone interview, Edo State APC Publicity Secretary Barr. Peter Enoserogbe Uwadiae Igbinigie said, “How can we be planning to disrupt an election we are planning to win? Is that imaginable? We are working round the clock to see that we win the election.
“And it is common knowledge that PDP does not want any other political party outside that party to win the election. But the feelers from the fields are that they are not on ground. All they are trying to do is to ensure that there is no free and fair election, and we insisting that let a level playground is given to everybody by INEC and all the securities apparatus so that we would have a free and fair election and if we have a free and fair election, APC would win.
“How can APC be making all those arrangement and at the same time be plotting to disrupt the election? That should not add up in the head of any reasonable person. We cannot be fighting a system that we want to win. So, the allegation by Labour Party is unfounded, rather there is conniver between Labour Party in Edo South with PDP to ensure that whoever win the election would ultimately come back to join the PDP fold.
“Labour Party in Edo South is an extension of PDP. So, if Labour Party is coming up with such an allegation, it is a demonstration of the fact that they know what the PDP is planning and because they are part of the fold of PDP they do not want APC to have a free and fair election. And we are pleading with the authorities concern, INEC and the security apparatus to ensure that a level play ground is given on that day the 15th of April, 2023 so that we would have a free election and we will conduct a free and fair election in the rerun, apparently, APC will have the day. So, we are genuinely pleading with those concerns, including the Labour Party themselves, because we are known for well-articulated system. The actions are overboard.”
As at the time of filing in this report, all efforts by The9JaTREND to get Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr. Chris Nehikhare’s reaction over the allegation proved abortive as the calls was unanswered.
