Edo election ‘ll be test for democracy — PDP boss

Acting National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Umar Damagum has observed that the Edo governorship election holding on Sept. 21 will be a test for the nation’s democracy.

Damagum made this observation during the grand finale campaign rally of the party in Benin.

He urged security agencies to ensure professionalism and uphold justice during and after the election.

“From our campaign trains, the people of Edo have accepted our candidate.

“I want to use this opportunity to tell our security agencies that you are paid with taxpayers’ money.

“You must uphold the values for which you were created”, Damagum said.

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The Chairman of the National Campaign Council for the Edo Election and Governor of Adamawa, Alhaji Ahmadu Fintiri, warned against compromising the electoral process.

Fintiri urged the people to come out en masse and vote.

He stated that “Edo is known as the cradle of civilization and intellect that must not settle for anything less”.

Fintiri noted that Gov. Godwin Obaseki of Edo had done his best for the state and left a landmark in terms of human capital development.

Obaseki, in his remarks, noted that the governorship election “is an existential threat.

“With all the achievements the PDP administration have recorded in Edo, we do not want to go back”.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi, Alhaji Bala Muhammed, said that
contrary to speculations of division among PDP governors, the PDP governors remained united.

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Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro in his goodwill message said that the PDP candidate had garnered enough experience to tackle the economic challenges.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice-President, 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 centres and make sure they are announced,” he said.

In his welcome address, the state PDP Chairman, Mr Anthony Aziegbemi, said that Edo people would never be intimidated.

Also, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Mr Asue Ighodalo, shortly after receiving the party’s flag from the acting national chairman, promised to build on the foundation of development laid by Obaseki.