EKITI PDP MEDIA Team

10/12/2021

LET US RESCUE AND REBUILD NIGERIA

The Inaugural Speech of the National Chairman of the Official Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Nigeria , His Excellency Sen. (Dr.) Sen Iyorchia Ayu , at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja.
Friday 10th December 2021.

Protocols.

Let me start by expressing my sincere gratitude to God for the honour and privilege to lead this great Party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). I am, indeed, most humbled.

Before going further, I wish to pay special tribute to our founding-leaders, to wit: Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, Chief Solomon Daushep Lar, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Alh. Abubakar Rimi, Sen. Francis Ellah and others who have transited to the great beyond.

Although they are now gone, their legacy of patriotism, visionary ideas and uncommon courage continue to inspire the great PDP Family to keep serving the people and defending democracy.

May I also warmly appreciate all members of the PDP across Nigeria for their prayers, support and commitment in ensuring the emergence of this new National Working Committee under my leadership at the remarkably successful Convention of our beloved Party. We are, indeed, one great and united PDP family.

In no particular order, kindly allow me to acknowledge the steadfastness of the outgone National Working Committee in ensuring a hitch-free National Convention; Members of National Executive Committee; the Board of Trustees; State, Local Government and Ward Chapters of our Party; Delegates to the National Convention and indeed entire PDP family. I am most grateful.

Furthermore, may I specially acknowledge the PDP’s Governors Forum, the PDP National Assembly Caucus and the PDP Elders Committee for their dedication, diligence and strategic role in stabilizing the Party, providing direction and funding intervention. Permit me to, on behalf of millions of PDP members nationwide, say thank you.

All politics, they say, is local, so bear with me as I specially appreciate the PDP Northern Caucus, the PDP North-Central Caucus and very uniquely, my dear Governor, His Excellency, Dr. Samuel Ortom. I am truly grateful.

2. Today marks a new journey and a new direction for the PDP. As one who was part of those that founded the Party in 1998, I am well aware of its core values and vision which are centred around the people and their well-being.

Our task at this auspicious moment is to return the Party to the people. But to do that, the Party needs to be reinvigorated, reinvented and repositioned. We are not unmindful of our missed steps and actions in the past, but we have learnt our lessons, both in government and in opposition. Today, we stand tall, and with a firm resolve to rebuild our great party and rescue our nation.

3. The PDP is the only organic political party in Nigeria that has remained a credible, tested, tasted and trusted mass movement since the return of democracy in 1999. Other political parties have either fizzled away or merged with others.

Some have mutated into a contraption like the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), without any clear ideology or a coherent programme of action. This contraption seduced Nigerians with propaganda in 2015. Today, Nigerians have seen the limit of propaganda and demagoguery. The only thing the APC is doing successfully is irresponsible borrowing.

4. The PDP, on the other hand, has a history of performance and legacy achievements. In our 16 years in power, we not only gave Nigerians good governance, we also strengthened democratic institutions so as to add value to the people. In an unprecedented move, we stabilized our democracy by sanitizing the armed forces of politically exposed officers.

We gave Nigeria her first-ever successful transition from one civilian administration to another in 2007. To the disbelief of all watchers of African politics, we willingly conceded defeat in 2015, and handed over power to an opposition party in 2015.

It was the PDP-Federal Government that created value-adding public institutions like the EFCC, ICPC, NAFDAC, the Debt Management Office (DMO), the Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) among many others.

5. The PDP administration also strengthened the governance process by enacting laws to effectively drive public administration in Nigeria, namely: the Fiscal Responsibility Act, the Mid-Term Expenditure Frame-Work, the Treasury Single Account (TSA), Integrated Personal and Payroll Information Systems (IPPIS) just to mention a few.

6. We negotiated and obtained forgiveness of over $30 Billion of debt, making Nigeria almost a debt-free country. Foreign direct investments flowed in. Cumulatively, the foregoing made Nigeria, not only the fastest growing economy in Africa, but also the biggest economy on the continent.

7. From the biggest economy in 2015, the APC has given the country two recessions and turned Nigeria into the Poverty Capital of the world. Today, close to 40 million Nigerians have no jobs.

8.In the last six years, the APC-led government has mismanaged our diversity; divided the country along regional and religious lines. It has exacerbated religious tensions in the country.

And through its marriage to nepotism, the incompetent APC- Federal Government is fueling secessionist agitations in the East and West of Nigeria.

9. Your Excellencies, party faithful, very distinguished ladies and gentlemen, our dear Nigeria is drifting dangerously towards a failed state. Terrorists are now sharing sovereignty with Nigeria. Nigeria is simply ungoverned. Nigeria is collapsing under the leadership of a retired general!

10. The APC used both the mainstream media and the social media to access power. Today, it coordinates a systematic assault on the media, civic freedoms and freedom of speech.

11. Let me give you the grim legacy of the APC: Two economic recessions in six years. A sluggish GDP growth rate of below two percent.

About 40 million Nigerians have been pushed into extreme poverty in six years.
Inflation is at an all-time high at 18%.

A weak and devalued Naira; devalued by over 300% since 2015, has made our currency the worst in Africa.

Unemployment now stands at 33%. Meaning: Close to 40 million Nigerians, willing and able to work, can’t find jobs.

A total debt stock of over $90 billion now hangs over Nigeria. An erratic exchange rate regime has depleted N324 against the US Dollar in the last six years.

Kidnapping for ransom is now big business. We share sovereignty with terrorists who kidnap and r**e our women, including our mothers and under-aged children.
The terrorists even kill them when ransom is delayed.
These are not political alarms, but statements of facts.

12. But I stand here today, not to merely recount APC’s spectacular failures. I stand here to assure you that PDP is back to Rescue and Rebuild Nigeria. Under the new NWC, PDP will strengthen its internal democratic processes. We shall endeavour to reach out to all party members, young and old, male and female.

13. This National Working Committee will create alternate platforms within the Party to actively engage the young people and our women, not only for mobilizing and winning elections, but for advocacy, policy formulation and the design of a new development agenda for the Party.

14. We shall return the party to vigorous discussions; pay serious attention to new thinking and the implementation of policies and programmes that will secure and improve the quality of life of all Nigerians.

The Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) will be revived and strengthened to drive this process. Before the next election cycle, we shall present a PDP manifesto that will bring back Hope to our people.

15. My dear compatriots, KEEP HOPE ALIVE. Do not allow a small and rapacious cabal to destroy your faith in one, united Nigeria.

16. A PDP administration will change the narrative.

We will unite the people.

We will deepen the content of our democracy.

We will rebuild our collapsed economy.

We will make Nigerians the focus of development.

We will expand our international vision beyond Niger Republic.

We will check the rampaging insecurity.

We will restore Nigeria’s lost glory.

And we will reclaim our dignity, destiny and pride as the Giant of Africa.

17. To our faithful, I, on behalf of the new NWC, pledge to be guided by consultation, team-work, internal democracy and national interest. To all non-PDP members, we say our umbrella can accommodate all of us. And to our members who left, I urge you to come back home; our doors are still open.

18. To the APC, we, once again, renew our quit notice on you. Begin to prepare your handover notes.

19. To Africa and the international community - we know you are worried about Nigeria. But we assure you that PDP will pull back Nigeria from the brink. PDP will not allow Nigeria to fulfil those doomsday predictions.

20. We acknowledge the historic role of the media in the fight for our independence and the return of Nigeria to democratic rule. It is in recognition of these that we ask for the support and cooperation of the media in the historic task of Rescuing and Rebuilding Nigeria, Come 2023.

21. Join hands with us. Together, we shall reclaim and rebuild our country to be one of the greatest countries in the world.

22. Long Live, the Peoples Democratic Party! Long live, the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you all.

13/06/2021

June 13, 2021

Press Statement

PDP Congratulates Aduda, Senate Minority Whip At 52

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulates the Minority Whip of the Senate, Senator Philip Aduda, as he marks his 52nd birthday.

The PDP is indeed proud of Senator Aduda’s undiluted commitment towards the development and progress of the nation and particularly his dedication to the welfare of his constituents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja as well as the stability of our party, the PDP.

Over the years, Senator Aduda, a grassroot politician, with strong bond with the people, has continued to exhibit uncommon patriotism from his days as a local government councillor, to his days as two term member of the House of Representatives (where he earned the Best Performing Legislator Award in 2008) and now as a three-term elected Senator of the Federal Republic, where he serves as Senate Minority Whip.

Our party also recognizes the sacrificial roles Senator Aduda has been playing towards the wellbeing of his constituents of the FCT, which is a melting pot of all Nigerians from across the federation and members of the international community.

The PDP celebrates Senator Aduda and prays to God to continue to grant him good health and sound mind in the service of his people and our dear fatherland.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

12/06/2021

June 12, 2021

Press Statement

June 12: PDP Condemns APC, Buhari’s Clampdown on Peaceful Protesters

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) condemns, in the strongest term ever, the violent clampdown by agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Muhamamdu Buhari on Nigerians who are peacefully protesting on Democracy Day.

The party describes the brutal clampdown on citizens on Democracy Day as a sacrilegious demonstration of APC’s aversion to democracy as well as its barefaced repugnance towards Nigerians, particularly in their demands for their rights.

It is awkward that the APC and President Buhari, who were allowed their freedom when they protested in 2014, would turn around to subject Nigerians to actions of inhumanity including the use of fi****ms against the people, as being witnessed today.

It is instructive to note that President Buhari, in his supposed Democracy Day address, failed to rein in his security operatives despite the cautions by the PDP. This places the culpability for whatever befalls Nigerians, in the face of the violent attacks by security agencies, on the APC as well as Mr. President's desk.

The PDP is not surprised that in his over 20 minutes speech, Mr. President never made any commitment towards upholding the democratic tenets of free speech, freedom of expression, freedom of association and right to peaceful protest, as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution and our statutes, from which he, as APC candidate, drew huge benefit in 2014.

Our party is cataloguing all the infringements which the APC and President Buhari are rudely imposing on Nigerians and we urge all global democratic institutions to take note of the violent infringements and clampdown on democracy in Nigeria by the APC.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

11/06/2021

PDP seeks Chinese help for Nigeria youths.... Say APC not giving directions to them.

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has appealed to the Chinese government to help in the development of Nigeria youths.

Prince Secondus who made the appeal while welcoming the new Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Mr. CUI Jianchun to the party's Wadata Plaza headquarters on friday said that China has done well in the engagement of their youths and Nigeria has a lot to learn from them.

He said that PDP places much premium on the Nigeria youths because the future of the country rests squarely in their hands and expressed regret that the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, government through their policies and actions has continued to undermine this very critical sector of our society.

Prince Secondus also told his guest that although China operates different model of democracy, Nigeria particularly party administration has a lot to learn in the management of political parties.

The PDP boss said that China's breakthrough in virtually all areas of human development especially in modern technology should be a huge lesson like Nigeria that has the population potential but has not been able to harness them.

Prince Secondus noted that in the 16 years of PDP in federal power it did much with the Chinese government especially in rail transportation, Aviation and other infrastructural developments.

He said that PDP is returning to power at the center in 2023 and hope to collaborate with China to tap the huge potentials in our country that APC mis rule is inhibiting.

"We are returning to power in 2023 and hope to do business with you as we did when we were there. Nigeria wants to be where China is in area of technology because we have vibrant and intelligent youths who can take this country even to moon.

Earlier the Chinese Ambassador Jianchun had traced the good relationship between his country and Nigeria and how its their desire to deepen it.
The envoy said that the ruling Communist party in China desires to have a good working relationship with political parties in Nigeria.

He invited pdp to participate in the largest virtual political gathering of political parties and groups in China scheduled July 6, 2021.

Some members of the National Working Committee, NWC were on hand to receive the Ambassador.

Ike Abonyi
SA Media to the PDP National Chairman

09/06/2021

*INAUGURATION OF THE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION COMMITTEE OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY, PDP*

This is to invite all members of the National Working Committee (NWC), our Governors, BOT Members, NEC Members, all members of the National Assembly and Stakeholders to the Inauguration Ceremony of the E-Registration Committee of our Great Party as follows:

Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Venue: NEC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja FCT

Time 3:00PM Prompt.

Please endeavor to attend this very noble and special occasion.

Col Austin Akobundu (rtd).
National Organizing Secretary

02/06/2021

We'll continue to use science, logic, data to develop Oyo - Makinde
..commissions model school in Iseyin, launches youths in Agribusiness initiative

…Oyo not owing SUBEB counterpart funds - UBEC state coordinator

Governor of Oyo State, 'Seyi Makinde, said on Monday that his administration will continue to use data, science and logic to arrive at the best decisions that will positively affect the people of the state.

The governor stated this while commissioning a model school building at the St. Paul's Anglican Basic School, Okutapemo, Iseyin, to commemorate his second anniversary in office.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that his administration has paid UBEC counterpart funds of 1.51billion Naira for 2019 and 2020.

The statement added that the governor equally commissioned the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA) headquarters and also launched the Youths Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project (YEAP) training for youths at the OYSADA Complex, Saki.

While speaking at the Iseyin venue of the model school building, Makinde maintained that the building is one of 26 such projects completed in the last one year across all zones of the state.
He explained that his administration completed over 300 projects in the education sector in its first year in office and has added over 300 projects in the second year.
He added that the government has also equipped hundreds of schools with furniture, textbooks and notebooks.

According to Makinde, upon assuming office, the government found out that the number of out-of-school children in the state was the highest in the South-West, while lack of education infrastructure was also rampant.
The governor maintained that through scientific thinking, data and logic, the government has been able to reduce that infrastructure deficit in the education sector by building and renovating more schools and providing furniture materials and equipment.
He added that the governor has also plugged the hole in school enrolment, with the return of 54,000 out-of-school children to the classrooms.

He said: “When we looked at the data for education after we got into office two years ago, two things stood out. We had a huge number of out-of-school children. We had the highest number of out of school children in Southwestern Nigeria.
“Even those who were in school lacked proper facilities and a conducive learning environment.
“So, we had to come up with solutions that would address these challenges. One of the things we noticed immediately was that the number of out-of-school children was a symptom of a bigger problem: The problem of poor funding. So, one of the first things we did was to reverse the trend of poor budgetary allocation to education. "We revised the budget we met and increased allocation to education from about 3 per cent to 20 per cent.
“And when we made our own first budget, we allocated over 20 per cent to education, which surpassed the UNESCO-recommended 15-20 per cent. For the past two years, this has remained the standard. Education gets over 20 per cent of our budgetary allocations.
“A related problem was that basic education was suffering from poor infrastructure. The reason being that the funds for basic education is tied to a counterpart funding programme designed by the Federal Government. Any state that does not pay UBEC counterpart funds will not get UBEC matching grant and their development will suffer.
“We, therefore, paid counterpart funds of 1.51 billion Naira for 2019 and 2020 to enable us to get the matching grants.
“So, when you hear that we completed over 300 hundred projects in education during our first year in office and this second year we have added another over 300 projects, you will understand we are not just throwing around figures. These are verifiable projects.”

The governor maintained that the administration has been investing heavily on education because of the awareness that one of the sure ways of lifting families out of poverty is giving the children access to education.

Earlier, the chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Adeniran, said that the model school building has 20 classrooms, head-teachers’ office, library, sickbay, computer room, assembly hall, 16 toilets, 29 sets of teachers’ furniture, 285 pairs of pupils' furniture, functional borehole with two tanks and stand, fence.

He added that the administration has constructed 45 blocks of 3 classrooms, 22 blocks of 4 classrooms, a block of 6 classrooms, 26 blocks of 4 compartment toilets, renovated 120 blocks of classrooms, sunk 77 boreholes, procured and distributed 8983 pairs of students' desks and benches and 427 sets of teachers furniture.
Similarly, the Oyo State Coordinator of the Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Lydia Gbagi, hailed the Makinde government for the laudable project, describing it as unprecedented.

She added that Oyo State has accessed all its funds with UBEC by paying its counterpart funds up to date, commending the government for taking great interest in education.

At the OYSADA Complex, the Executive Adviser to the Governor on Agribusiness and the Director-General of OYSADA, Dr. Debo Akande, said the YEAP training will develop selected beneficiaries in areas of Agribusiness enterprise development spread across the five regions of Oyo State.

Equally, Governor Makinde said the government decided to rehabilitate the facilities at the defunct OYSADEP Complex and make it the headquarters of agribusiness in Oyo State because it was commonsensical to do, as Oke-Ogun zone has been the food basket of Oyo State.

He stated that apart from the commissioning, the government was “also taking the opportunity to expand the Youths Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project initiative, which it piloted a while back. “We gave 100 youths the opportunity to undergo training in agribusiness and entrepreneurship, and the reports I have received so far shows that the pilot was a success.
“Some of the youths involved in the pilot programme are presently running internships at selected private agribusiness organisations which are partnering with the Oyo State Government. So, this is one of our government-led and private sector supported projects. Today, we are giving another 1,000 youths the opportunity to be trained in agribusiness. Let me congratulate the 1,000 youths that have qualified to be the pioneer class of our Youth Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness Project. I am also happy that all administrative activities regarding this programme will run from here.
“With this commissioning, we are taking another giant leap towards the development and opening of this area. All the former staff of OYSADEP that were moved to OYSADA have now relocated to Saki. This facility will now become the seat where all agribusiness transactions will be made. The staff are now closer to the people that need them. This will have a multiplier effect on the economic activities in this zone.”

He added that Agribusiness investors will come to OYSADA headquarters in Saki and that those who run hospitality businesses will have to step up to cater to their needs.

Signed
Taiwo Adisa
Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde
May 31, 2021.

28/05/2021

May 28, 2021

Press Statement

PDP Hails Gov. Obaseki’s Victory At Supreme Court..Says It's Triumph of the Will of the People

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hails the judgement of the Supreme Court which upheld the election of Edo state Governor Godwin Obaseki, describing it as the inevitable triumph of the will of the people over anti-democratic forces.

The PDP asserts that the verdict of the apex court in throwing out the petition of All Progressives Congress (APC), is a resounding reinforcement of the popularity of the PDP and Governor Obaseki in Edo state, as firmly established in the election.

The party urged Governor Obaseki to continue in his commitment towards the development of the state and the wellbeing of his people in line with the manifesto and ideology of the PDP; the very reason he was overwhelmingly re-elected as governor of the state.

The PDP is proud of Governor Obaseki for the empowerment of the people as well as massive infrastructural development of Edo state in critical areas of healthcare, education, agriculture and food production, oil and gas, industrialization among others.

The party also commended the judiciary for its courage in upholding justice and the will of the people in the Edo governorship election.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

26/05/2021

May 26, 2021

Press Statement

PDP NWC Visits, Condoles Attahiru’s Widow

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) paid a condolence visit to the widow and family of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in the tragic military air crash last week Friday.

The PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, who led other members of NWC to visit Gen. Attahiru's family in their home in Abuja on Wednesday, described the late COAS as a brave and patriotic soldier, adding that the PDP is still grief-stricken over the national tragedy.

“We are here to commiserate with you over the departure of your husband. We received with sadness, the news of the death of your brave and patriotic husband. Nigerians are in great pains because his appointment was a relief to our nation as we believed that he had come to make a difference.

“With Gen. Attahiru’s life and record of performance in serving our fatherland, it was clear that he had come with the commitment and zeal to confront and vanquish the security challenges facing our nation. His life was an eloquent testimony of his excellent service to our nation.

“On behalf of the leadership of PDP, we are here to condole with you. We assure you of our prayers at this moment of grief and we believe that God will grant you and your family the fortitude to carry this pain”, he said.

The PDP leadership also offered prayers for the families of the other officers who died in the crash.

The party further prayed for the safety of our gallant men and women risking their lives, in battle, to secure our dear nation.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

24/05/2021

May 22, 2021

Press Statement

Plane Crash: PDP Mourns COAS, Others…Demands Probe into Military Plane Crashes

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is grieved by the death of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other officers in a military plane crash on Friday.

The party describes Gen. Attahiru and the other officers as heroes who gave their lives for the security of our nation, adding that the tragic incident is a huge blow to Nigeria.

Our party commiserates with the military high command, the families of Lt. General Attahiru and the other officers and men who have paid the supreme price for the security of our nation and prays God to give them the fortitude to bear the loss.

The PDP however demands an extensive inquest into this military plane crash as well as the last two in which lives of officers were lost.

The party urges Nigerians to be at alert and continue to pray for our fighting men and women, who are risking their lives at the front to secure our nation.

Signed:

Kola Ologbondiyan
National Publicity Secretary

29/04/2021

Special Announcement:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), will hold an emergency National Executive Committee (NEC) Meeting on Thursday, April 29, 2021.

Venue: NEC Hall, PDP National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

Time: 12:00Pm

02/10/2020

🔴Breaking: Dear Mr. Peter Fayose.

Your tirade against Chief Olabode George, and your aspersions against the Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party, at the 10 degrees event center was disappointing, but not surprising.

A man who slaps his own father, and uses his wife as a punching bag is Capable of many other atrocities.

How do you think your children feel about your perverse behavior? What example are you setting for the younger generation? Have you never heard of the adage," prudence is the better part of valour " ? Your habit of attacking old people and women is actually a sign of deep-seated weakness and insecurity.
You should be ashamed of yourself ! Additionally, you had the audacity, at your 10 Degrees charade to remind us in Lagos oooo, that you intentionally handed over Ekiti State to the opposition.
Sir, Your treachery and political infractions can not go on forever without repercussion. You have sowed the wind. Sooner than later you will reap the whirlwind!

Dr. Adetokunbo Pearse, (Public Affairs Analyst, PDP Stakeholder ,Lagos State)

Copied.

20/09/2020

BREAKING: Jubilation In Edo As INEC Declares Obaseki Winner Of Guber Election
https://wazobiareportersng.com/2020/09/20/breaking-jubilation-in-edo-as-inec-declares-obaseki-winner-of-guber-election/

Candidate of the PDP, Governor Godwin Obaseki, has been declared winner of the Sept 19, gubernatorial election in Edo state.He defeated his closest opponent, the APC candidate, Ize Iyamu, with a total of 307,955 votes.The APC candidate polled 223,619

08/08/2020

Wike: We Will Resist Every Attempt To Unlawfully Remove Obaseki

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Campaign Council for Edo State Governorship Election has condemned the illegal invasion of Edo State House of Assembly by political thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt today, the Chairman of the Campaign Council and Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, also described the purported impeachment of the legitimately elected Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly as null and void.

“An invalid assemblage of absentee Lawmakers-elect with no legitimate claims to the membership of the House of Assembly cannot lawfully convene in the Ugbowu private residence of Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, the APC Governorship candidate, to effect a change of leadership in the Edo State House of Assembly.

“Consequently, the purported impeachment of the Speaker and Deputy Speaker is a mere charade, completely a futile act that exists only in the imagination of the evil perpetrators and their co-travelers.

“It is now clear to all discerning minds that what is playing out in Edo State is an orchestrated script by the sinking opposition APC to intimidate the PDP and illegally impeach its candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki, having seen clearly that they cannot win the September 19, 2020 election without any miracle.

“We, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari and the International Community to prevail on the APC to stop the needless violence, play the game by the rules and allow the people of Edo State to freely elect their Governor,” he stated.

Governor Wike said PDP had raised the alarm that the APC is not ready for a free and fair contest and would use violence with the backing of federal might to rig and claim unmerited victory.

He warned that ours is a fragile democracy and the warlike approach of the APC to the Edo election poses a very serious threat to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

According to him, Ni