Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has assured voters that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would leave no stone unturned to ensure the forthcoming September 21 governorship election is free and fair.

Responding to the call by Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Iliya Damagun, on the need for voters to defend votes with their blood, Obaseki maintained that the election will be closely monitored by the party to avoid vote buying.

Speaking at the grand finale of the PDP’s campaign for its governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, Obaseki described the election as an existential threat, stating, “This election is do or die. If they do, we will die.”

In his words, Damagun said the APC could only win Edo State through violence and intimidation, but the PDP would resist such attempts.

Damagun declared that the opposition would need to kill or arrest all PDP members to win the election.

The PDP chairman also warned the Independent National Electoral Commission against announcing election results at night, threatening that party members would defend their votes with their blood.

He said that the election would serve as a test for Nigeria’s democracy, urging people to pay close attention to the state.

Damagun stated, “You have to kill or arrest all of us if you want to take this state. You may have gangs, but we have God.

“To INEC, we don’t want midnight result announcements. It is not a threat, but we will defend our votes with our blood.

“We urge Nigerians to focus on the state, and we promise that the PDP will continue to provide good governance in Edo State.”

“My desire is to take the state to the next level as Governor Obaseki has already built a solid foundation for its development. My government will be transparent. I will also govern with integrity.

“I believe that the election will be free and fair, as promised by Governor Obaseki and President Tinubu. I urge the people to come out in large numbers to vote for the PDP next Saturday.”

In his speech, the Chairman of the PDP’s Board of Trustees, Adolphous Wabara, called on INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, not to announce the election result until he was certain of its accuracy.

Wabara urged Yakubu to correct the mistakes of the 2023 general elections and retire peacefully.