PDP didn’t participate for the fear of losing – Crusoe Osagie
Low turnout is LGA election nature – Odigie-Oyegun

By Ehi Ekhator

The Chairman of the Edo State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dan Orbih described the Local Government election that took place today, the 3rd of March, 2018 as a display of impunity by the All Progressives Congress.

Orbih who spoke with NAIJA CENTER NEWS correspondent after the election said “This shows that APC is a party that thrives on impunity. Despite the fact that this matter is before a law court, in a civilized society, they would await the determination of the case before they can do anything about the election but APC went ahead in spite of the fact the matter is before a law court. They have no respect for the rule of law.”

The party Chairman added that “The matter is already in court, we cannot do anything when the matter has not taken a decision on the issue. We will wait for the court to decide. “

The PDP had resolved not to participate in the local government election because the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), the State House of Assembly and the State Government amended the rules for the conduct of the elections.

The PDP dragged the EDSIEC, EDHA and the EDSG to court challenging their powers, among other branches to make the amendment.

PDP didn’t participate for the fear of losing – Crusoe Osagie

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Media and Communication Strategy, Mr Crusoe Osagie said the PDP refused to participate in the election for the fear of losing.

He told NAIJA CENTER NEWS that the decision to boycott the LGA election was purely the PDPs, adding that there was no injunction from the court stopping the election.

“The election held. There is no injunction stopping the election from holding. It was their choice not to participate, it was what they chose. Clearly, they did not participate because they knew they were going to lose, so they looked for a good excuse to stay away from the election.” He noted.

On why the government amended the notice from 90 days to 45 days, Crusoe said: “It is wrong for us to discuss in the media something before the court.”

Low turnout is LGA election nature – Odigie-Oyegun

In a separate response, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun attributed the low turnout in the election to the nature of Local Government elections.

He stated that the peoples’ participation was more important than the main opposition decision to participate.

Oyegun disclosed this while addressing journalists in Benin City on Saturday.

He said “There is always apartheid with a local election, you don’t have the kind of star quality that comes with global or presidential election.

“Whether the major opposition is here or not, what is important is that people turned up in spirit because whether they like it or not, local representation is one of the most important. Everybody can get to the councilor, who can get to the governor?”

The governor, Mr. Godwin Obaeski in his response, said the PDP refusal to participate did not affect the voters’ turnout.

He alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has no presence in the state.

The governor said: “We can confidently say the opposition party is not in existence in the state. Every politician aspires from the units and if you do not give them the platform, they will seek it outside.”

Read more : https://www.naijacenter.com/politics/edo-lga-election-apc-thrives-impunity-dan-orbih/
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State election in Nigeria is a one way thing...