Governors Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, Godwin Obaseki and others at the grand finale campaign rally of the party held in Benin.
By Jethro Ibileke
The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum has said that the Edo governorship election scheduled for 21 September would be a test for Nigeria’s democracy.
He made this known on Saturday at the grand finale campaign rally of the party held in Benin.
He called on Nigerians and the international community to be on alert and watch the crucial election closely against manipulation.
The PDP chairman called on the security agencies to remember that their salaries and allowances are paid with taxpayers’ money, for which he said they should ensure professionalism and justice during and after the election.
“From your campaign trains, the people of Edo accepted our candidate they know that they have already decided to not vote for insecurity, hunger and bad governance.
“I want to use this opportunity to tell our security agencies. You are paid with taxpayers’ money. You have to accord the values for which you are created.
“Yet, in a situation where you decide to take part, let me make this very clear, you have to kill or arrest all of us if you have to take this state,” he said.
According to him, we will be here and be with you and we are ready to give our vote and blood for our rights.
Also speaking, the Chairman of, the national campaign council of the Edo state election, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state, warned against compromising the electoral process.
While urging the people to come out en mass next Saturday and vote for PDP, Fintiri noted that Edo state was known as the cradle of civilization and intellectuals in Nigeria, and so, cannot settle for anything less.
Fintiri who likened Ighodalo to Obaseki, noted that Governor Godwin Obaseki has done his best for the state and left a landmark in terms of human capital development.
“We cannot be intimidated. We will tell them we know how to win the election. Nobody will rig us out.
“You cannot at this point of our history, where insecurity has engulfed everywhere, bring someone who has said he is going to bring insecurity to Edo state,” Fintiri said.
The Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, urged the electorate to protect and defend their votes.
“Make sure you cast your votes, ensure they are counted, escort your votes to the collation centre and make sure they are announced,” he added.
Also speaking, the chairman of the PDP governor’s forum and the governor of Bauchi state, Bala Muhammed said contrary to speculations of division among PDP governors, the PDP governors were united and solidly behind Obaseki and Asue Ighodalo.
Also, the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, in his goodwill message, said the PDP candidate had garnered enough experience to tackle the economic crisis.
“One dollar to naira was exchanged for N190,00 when the PDP left power in 2015, but now exchanging for ₦1,600, “.
According to him, the choice is the Edo people’s own to make because the cost of living is now astronomically high.
In his remarks, the host Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki described the governorship election as an existential threat, saying that it would be a do-or-die election.
“With all the achievements we have recorded in Edo state, we do not want to go back to the dark old days, if they take this state, we will die.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state PDP chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, said Edo people would never be intimidated, adding that the finale rally marks the rebirth of the PDP.
On his part, the candidate of the PDP, Asue Ighodalo, shortly after receiving the party’s flag from the acting national chairman, promised to build on the foundation of development Obaseki had laid.
Present at the rally were all PDP governors, Speakers of Edo and Delta, PDP senators and House of Representatives members, religious leaders, PDP women and youth leaders among others.
Senate minority leader, Senator Abba Moro urged the Edo electorate to cast their votes for Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate for the election, adding that he is the right candidate to lead the State.
Moro said the PDP candidate has garnered enough experience, noting that one dollar to naira was exchanged for ₦190,00 when the PDP left power in 2015, but not exchange for ₦168,000.
He said the choice is Edo people’s own to make because according to him, the cost of living is now astronomically high.