The People Democratic Party, PDP, is seeking the redeployment of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Nemo Edwin-Iwo, and the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha to guarantee a credible governorship election on 21st September 2024....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Illiya Damagum while addressing a press conference in Abuja Nigeria’s capital, is also demanding the immediate release of members of the party allegedly arrested by the police.
Damagum said they are calling for the redeployment of the two officers because they do not foresee their serving with fairness the duties expected of them in the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State.
He reminded the Inspector General of Police, IGP, that he must recognise his duty to the Nigerian people, the Constitution and the sustenance of peace and security in Edo State and the entire nation.
“The IGP should immediately redeploy the Edo State Commissioner of Police, CP Nemo Edwin-Iwo so as to guarantee confidence, peace and security during the Edo State governorship election.
“The IGP should immediately release all members of the PDP being detained by the Police.The IGP should desist from interfering in the activities of Edo State Security Corps, a body lawfully established under the law.
“The PDP demands that the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu immediately redeploys the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, Dr. Anugbum Onuoha from the State especially now that people are already agitated against this obnoxious appointment,” he said.
Damagum said the call by the PDP was to safeguard the decisive poll on Saturday 21st September 2024.
“This is not only to guarantee a credible governorship election in Edo State but also to avert the ugly scenario witnessed in the 2023 Adamawa State Governorship election where a biased Resident Electoral Commissioner and other INEC officials nearly lost their lives in the hands of agitated electorate,” he stated.
Damagum noted that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC is attempting to infiltrate and compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, by reportedly influencing the appointment of Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, whom he said is an associate of APC leaders, as the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC.
He says, “The appointment of this overtly partisan individual as Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner is completely unacceptable as he is susceptible to bias, manipulations by the APC and therefore not in position to guarantee a transparent, free, fair and credible governorship election in Edo State.”
PDP’s Victory
According to the PDP Acting National Chairman, the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo is heading to a sweeping victory with almost 70% of the expected votes at the election as he enjoys the overwhelming solidarity and support of the majority of the people of Edo State across Party lines.
“It is clear that the people of Edo State have made up their minds to elect Dr. Asue Ighodalo as their next governor given his established track record of performance, proficiencies, experience, passion for the people as articulated in his Prosperity for All Manifesto which embodies the Will and aspiration of the generality of the people of Edo State.
“As I address you today, no fewer than 16 of our members and supporters have been arrested in Edo State on trumped-up charges with some of them whisked to Abuja where they are detained and tortured. In the same vein no fewer than 15 others have been marked for arrest by the police on trumped-up charges,” he said.
Courage of PDP Members
Damagum salutes the courage of the people of Edo State and urged them to remain vigilant and alert to defend democracy and defend their votes at the Saturday, September 21, 2024 Edo State Governorship election
“Edo State people are assured that the PDP will be with them in their desire to ensure that their Will as expressed at the poll is not subverted,” he stated.
Peace Accord
On the PDPs snub of signing the Peace Accord organised by the National Peace Committee and INEC in Benin City, the Edo state capital, Damagum said “nobody is running away from his responsibility, rather we are pointing to Nigerians that there is something cooking by this APC led administration under the watch of police that are being paid with tax payers money.
“Secondly, we are going to participate. Will come out en-mass, and we will defend our votes with our blood. Let them be very, very clear about that.
“We could not sign, we could not be part of that because we gave a condition, and it is their responsibility to make sure that these conditions are met where they arbitrary arrest the members of only one particular party. Then that means that there is something you do not know. So what piece are we going to sign for?” he asked.
