₦airaland Forum

Prominent religious leaders in Edo State and the leader of market women in the state have thrown their weight behind the resolve of the Edo State Government to ensure peaceful local council polls scheduled for March 3, 2018.

They urged the people planning to disrupt the local government elections to stay away from the state and called on the security agents to do all within their powers to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere for the electorates to cast their votes.

In a telephone interview, the Archbishop of Bendel Province and Bishop of Esan Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend Dr. Friday John Imaekhai, said: “There are rules for the conduct of elections and my advice to the candidates participating in the elections is that they should abide by the rules. The contestants should not see as it do or die affair. We do not want violence in Edo State.”

He added: “The law enforcement agents should ensure that there is an atmosphere of peace for voters cast their votes.”

The Archbishop denounced any plot by any party or individuals to cause mayhem in the state and said “we should avoid violence. Election is not a do or die affair. We must respect the dignity of the human being. We are praying for the Edo State government because so far, we appreciate the work of the state government. We are one people with a common destiny and must continue to sue for peace. No bloodshed.”

Chairman, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Edo State, Bishop Mond Igbinosa, called for a free, fair and peaceful election, stressing that “There must be no multiplicity of voting, everyone should act in a very civil manner while voting so that we can have a better Nigeria.”

In his words: “It is high time we all grew up and made Nigeria work. I am aware of the generally peaceful primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo Central and we hope the exercise continues to be peaceful. It is time to make things work in the nation.”

Leader of Edo Market Women, Madam Blackie Ogiamien, challenged the merchants of violence planning to cause mayhem in the state to seek a location outside Edo State for their evil plot and said that “we do not want fight in Edo State. We are one family in the state and the man that God has ordained is the one that will emerge.”

The calls by the religious leaders and Edo market women follow similar calls by a coalition of civil society organisations led by the Concerned Citizens of Edo State (CCES) on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not test the will and might of Edo people, with media reports that the PDP is plotting to derail the electoral process.

“We have read news reports of a clandestine design by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to subvert the forthcoming local government elections, using the instruments of the court and where that fails, recourse to arm youths and engage Niger Delta militias to stop the election.

“We have commissioned an independent investigation to establish the veracity of this report and a cursory appraisal of our findings validate the fears raised by the Edo State Government, that there is indeed a grand plan by the PDP to sabotage the election. We wish to put on record that we have reasons to believe the reports because the PDP had earlier kicked against the planned elections and told Nigerians of their plan to approach the court to challenge the planned local government elections,” leader of the organisation, Aghedo Ogbewi was quoted as saying by several news outlets.

He was reported to have warned that “gone are the days our youths were deceived or cowed by the PDP. Edo youths are wiser now and will resist any self-serving plot by the PDP or any other political party or group, to disrupt a process that will bring socio-economic development to the ordinary Edo people in the various local government areas of the state.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State has discredited reports that the party primaries held yesterday, January 24, were marred by crisis in some local government areas in the state, insisting that the exercise was not only peaceful but that the outcome demonstrated the will of the people.

In a statement, the Publicity Secretary of the APC in the state, Mr. Chris Azebamwan said reports that there was crisis during the exercise at Egor local government secretariat were “blown out of proportion,” and was the figment of the imagination of mischief makers who saw crisis where there was none.

He added that, "as in all contests, there were disagreements, which were resolved amicably among party members."

According to him, “The party primary elections across the different parts of the state were generally peaceful and we appreciate all members of the party for conducting themselves as responsible and law-abiding citizens throughout the exercise.

“The conduct of the primaries is a departure from what obtained in the past when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held sway. Time was when primaries in this state were marred by violence. People were killed on election days. An exercise was never concluded without a bloodbath and reports of maiming of innocent people or violent clashes by rival gangs hired by those in the opposition today.

“But I am sure many people in this state weren’t even aware of that the primary elections of Wednesday because of the calmness and peace that reigned while the exercise lasted. We are glad we have exited the era of violence, and we discourage media reports that exaggerate, inflate and sensationalize events to increase viewership. It is a cheap tactic and discerning professionals know the difference between responsible reportage and a deliberate effort to discredit a fact.”

He continued, “With the results, we are convinced that the people had the final say and have chosen candidates that will swell the fortunes of the party as well as ferry the party to victory in the forthcoming polls.”

Noting that disagreement or incident does not translate to crisis, he said, “We are convinced that the reports are the handiwork of mischief makers who are looking for crisis and division where there is none.

“I dare reiterate that the exercise was peaceful, free and fair and many of the party members will attest to this. The pictures are everywhere in the newspapers where the party members dutifully queued to cast their votes. So, we wonder where the crisis came from.”

Azebamwan called on socially responsible reportage by the media especially as the March 3 polls draw close, urging residents in the state to come out en masse to exercise their franchise.

It is indeed a sad end, but our consolation and hope as youths is in the resolve of Governor Obaseki to transform Edo State to an industrial hub. Once this achieved, I doubt if any youth will think of leaving Edo Sate to elsewhere in search of jobs.

Osabass:
May Grod grant them eternal rest. Its really sad.

Really sad my brother. They survived the desert, only to die here.

Eternal rest grant them O'Lord

…advises N/Delta militants to turn down any 'deal' from PDP to cause mayhem

Following media reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, is plotting to disrupt the forthcoming local government elections in the state, a coalition of civil society groups led by the Concerned Citizens of Edo State (CCES), has warned the PDP not to test the will and might of Edo people by destabilizing the electoral process that has the blessings of all well-meaning Edo people.

“We have read news reports of a clandestine design by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to subvert the forthcoming local government elections, using the instruments of the court and where that fails, recourse to arm youths and engage Niger Delta militias to stop the election.

“We have commissioned an independent investigation to establish the veracity of this report and a cursory appraisal of our findings validate the fears raised by the Edo State Government, that there is indeed a grand plan by the PDP to sabotage the election. We wish to put on record that we have reasons to believe the reports because the PDP had earlier kicked against the planned elections and told Nigerians of their plan to approach the court to challenge the planned local government elections,” President of the organisation, Aghedo Ogbewi said.

Ogbewi stressed that “gone are the days our youths were deceived or cowed by the PDP. Edo youths are wiser now and will resist any self-serving plot by the PDP or any other political party or group, to disrupt a process that will bring socio-economic development to the ordinary Edo people in the various local government areas of the state.”

He advised militant groups in the riverine areas and sister Niger Delta states, to “turn down any offer extended to them by the Edo PDP or any other group to unleash mayhem in Edo State, as Edo people are ready to defend democracy with all the resources available to them.”

He further said: “Edo people, with the support of the law enforcement agents are prepared to defend the processes that lead to democratic governance, especially at the local government level, where the mass of Nigerians live and where governance matters most.

“As a coalition of civil society organisations that represents the interests of youths, women, children and committed to the welfare of Edo people, we will not sit by and watch our hard earned democracy to be trampled upon by any political party that is apparently scared of failure because it has not prepared adequately for the forthcoming contest.

“We have the assurances of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration to ensure a level playing ground for all political parties during the election. The stage is set, all political parties should follow the laid down rules and market their plans to Edo people.”

We do have good Edo ambassadors. Remain good and sincere dear Asemota

Never a time in Edo history that people have seen words matched with action as is seen now in the life of the present administration. Whether you are PDP or another, please give chance to this moving train to take the people to their rightful place.

Mr. Talknadooooo! He has done it again ooooo.

Carry Goooo... the peoples governor

Governor Obaseki is a God-sent.

Shortly after being sworn in, this man wasted no time to start working for the people.

Forward ever Mr. Governor

greatermax77:
Shithole Award!
Shithole Organizers.
Why is it every person in leadership position in Nigeria must win one award & the people they governed are poor & hungry.?

From your statements @greatermax77, you seem to be talking based on assumption, and to give you some facts that will make you think straight, please visit this below link; {we just woke up last Friday in Edo and saw all these}

https://www.nairaland.com/4300265/oshiomhole-salutes-obasekis-accomplishments-commissions#64348071

Now hear this again;

“I am here today, with all my followers who are sons and daughters, to be part of a great movement in Edo State. We decided to join the Obaseki’s team and the APC as we can no longer continue to oppose the good things across the state. We believe that this will make Edo State better, to make the state become the best, we all need to unite to support the governor who is interested in making the state work.”

#EdoInterestsFirst!

olatunjithomas:
soon, you'll jump back to PDP claiming APC abandoned the rule of law.

Self centered idiots.

They are in no way self-centered. They have the people's interest at heart.

I am sure Edo APC will be willing to accept him if he decides early enough whom to serve in the interest of Edo people.

The truth is gradually coming out.

If political enemies can embrace and brainstorm together in the interest of the masses, then we are actually getting it right. I see this Agbonayinma and Iduoriyekemwen move in that light.

TonyeBarcanista:
These are spent forces that have lost political ground in their ward.

Edo is PDP

Point of correction Tonye.. Hon. Ehiozuwa Johnson Agbonayinma, and Hon. Matthew Iduoriyekemwen are not spent forces ok. They are moving forces and I believe that their input will surely add more speed to Governor Obaseki’s drive to reposition Edo land.

Are you really in Edo Tonye?

sarrki:
I don't like this idea of crossing over to ruling party

We need strong and viable opposition

In other to checkmate the ruling or governing party

Your view is okay, but like Osabass said, I think the governor's good work is what is attracting the opposition to his side.