PDP advises Edo citizens: Do not be intimidated by thugs and criminals

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the people of Edo State to turn out in large numbers to vote in the governorship election on Saturday, September 21, 2024 and to treat any person attempting to disrupt, tamper or manipulate the election as a criminal.

The PDP also called on the people of Edo State to defend themselves by confronting and resisting all attempts by fake security operatives reportedly deployed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to kidnap innocent citizens, steal ballot boxes and disrupt the election.

The PDP's directive is also based on alleged plans by the APC to equip its thugs, allegedly imported from Imo and Kogi states, with fake police and military uniforms to infiltrate the security agencies and unleash violence against innocent citizens before and on election day.

Against this background, the PDP National Spokesperson, Debo Ologungaba, called on the Inspector General of Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue special identification cards to police officers and other security personnel assigned to specific polling stations to prevent infiltration by fake APC security operatives.

Noting that the PDP stands for peace, he said: “Our party and the people of Edo State will use all available legitimate means in democratic resistance to protect our democracy and ensure that no one undermines the will of the people in the election.”

“Our party also stresses that any APC thug who attempts to provoke a crisis or steal ballot boxes in this election will surely face the wrath of the people and the law.”

The PDP demanded that INEC ensure the credibility of the election by protecting itself from the manipulations and antics of the APC that could turn the people against the commission.

“INEC should also ensure that sensitive electoral materials such as voters’ rolls, ballot papers and result lists for specific polling stations are delivered to the relevant locations in a timely manner to prevent the possibility of deliberate distribution of such electoral materials to the wrong locations.

“The PDP instructs its polling agents to be extra vigilant and check the INEC BVAS to ensure that they are not summoned before accreditation and voting. They should ensure that all results are transmitted immediately and directly to the INEC portal and send copies of such results to the PDP Election Situation Room for documentation.

“The PDP is on the verge of victory. Our party and the people of Edo State have worked hard for this election and will stop at nothing to ensure that no one undermines the will of the people in the election,” the PDP said.