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EDO 2016: PDP, APC, APGA argue over who is really plotting to rig

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#EdoDecides: PDP raises alarm over APC's plan to rig over night

With barely 48 hours to the governorship election in Edo State, the main actors and players in the exercise have been throwing accusations at each other, with allegations of plans to rig the exercise.

 

The two main contesting parties; the APC and PDP have challenged the security agencies, and the electoral umpire, INEC to ensure a free, fair and credible exercise for the people’s vote to count.

 

While the Edo State chapter of the PDP is alleging that the APC and the state government in connivance with the Police and INEC have perfected a plot to rig the governorship election, the APC on its part says it is the PDP that is hatching a plot to undermine the exercise, and rig the results.

 

Meanwhile, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) has accused the PDP and the APC of plotting to rig the election, by manipulating the process in their favour, knowing that the APGA is the party on ground.

 

According to Chris Nehikhare, PDP state Publicity Secretary who spoke at a press conference on Sunday, “Very credible information reaching us says that Governor Adams Oshiomhole and his APC have concluded arrangements to thumb print fake ballot papers on Monday 26/9/2016 at Ibillo, Akoko Edo local government area, Edo North, and then transport the thumb printed fake ballot papers to their areas of weakness. Thereafter they will pretend to expose the perpetrators as PDP supporters”.

 

He said that among other things, “This show becomes the excuse to crackdown on PDP foot soldiers and undertake massive arrest of PDP staunch supporters. To give credence to the “show” they will plant fake PVC in the homes of our people. At this juncture, we advice that everyone must be vigilant and on alert till elections are over”, he said.

 

Read also: EDO 2016: Army, DSS yet to release arrested journalists 5 days after

 

But candidate of the APC, Godwin Obaseki in a petition to INEC, feels it is the other way around.

Also speaking to journalists at a separate event, Obaseki alleged, that “the information we have that PDP members are being accredited as observers and it is an issue that we expect them to look into. We have also informed them that from our own investigation the PDP has access to some result sheets and we have asked them to investigate. I don’t believe that the INEC is as porous as being alleged,” he added.

 

He went on to reveal that “The very interesting thing about the opposition party is that whatever they plan just leaks from their own camp. It is like as they are planning, they are coming to tell us what they are planning. Last week, they had a meeting and part of the strategy was to attack my convoy. I heard that last week and as at today, more information has come in as to the exact places.

 

But the candidate of APGA, Osaro Onaiwu, said that with less than 72 hours to the election, more disturbing facts and information have continued to reach him on efforts being made by both the APC, and the PDP to influence those in charge to help rig the election.

 

Onaiwu said, “APC and PDP have been accusing each other of plans to rig, while the true position is that they have both perfected plans to rig the people’s party, APGA, out.”

 

 

 

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