Rivers state Governor Nyesom Wike has said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Will thwart plans of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to jse security agencies to rig the September 19 gubernatorial election in Edo state.
In a statement on Monday by Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Wike who doubles as the Chairman of the PDP National Campaign Council for Edo Election said the APC candidate cannot beat Governor Godwin Obaseki in a free and fair polls.
“Governor Godwin Obaseki is not an ingrate like Adams Oshiomhole and Osagie Ize-Iyamu who can do anything, including betraying people to grab power.
“Obaseki is morally qualified and stands out as the best candidate for the September 19th 2020 election.
“Edo people cannot support and desire the handover of power to the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who is a nomadic politician and ingrate who lacks character.
“It is Oshiomhole who is an ingrate because he told us that Obaseki served as the brain box of his administration that lasted eight years. How can such a person become an ingrate.
“Look at Ize-Iyamu, he is an ingrate too. He served as Secretary to the State Government in Chief Lucky Igbinedion’s administration. When he didn’t get what he wanted, he dumped the Party and moved to another Party.
“In 2015, people supported him for governorship, when he failed, he did not consult them but abandoned them for another Party.
“That is the life of a nomadic politician. Like his master, they are dangerously desperate, insatiable and can do anything for power.
“Character and integrity must be the yardstick to elect any candidate in the Edo election. Edo people must resist the third term agenda of Oshiomhole.
“For Oshiomhole, the election is a face saving, do or die venture having been treated badly in Abuja,” he said.
On the threat by the Independent National Electoral Commission to cancel the poll on account of violence, Wike said, “We consider the comment by INEC to cancel or suspend the election because of violence as succumbing to the antics of the APC.
“All they want is violence because they cannot win the election. If the election is suspended, the implication is that Obaseki will serve out his tenure without election in November.
“I am surprised that APC will support a man it charged to court for corruption. Such stance shows that their corruption fight is a farce and a witch hunt of political opponents.
“Why will APC say that PDP has no justification to demand that Osagie Ize-Iyamu should go and face his charges before the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC). This is a Party that told Nigerians in 2015 of its resolve to fight corruption.
“It is also APC that took him to court. Oshiomhole was the one who told us that Edo people cannot vote for a man who is corrupt. Now they are saying he is their candidate because he has not been found guilty.
“We are tired of this double standard. They apply the rule differently to different people.”
