Edo guber: Group alleges plot by PDP to unleash violence

A group, the Citizens For Effective Government (CEG), yesterday alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had recruited “violence-inclined youths” to disrupt the polls.
The group said the reports of its independent findings indicate that a large number of “strange faces” from Delta and Rivers states have already arrived in the state.
Its president, Oteghe Adams and secretary, Oje Adeleke said in
Benin City that the decision was taken at the recent PDP convention held in Port Harcourt.
However, the state PDP chairman, Dan Orbih, has dismissed the allegation.
He accused the APC of hiring thugs from neighbouring Kogi State to harass and intimidates the PDP leaders and supporters during the polls.
The CEG urged the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris and other security agencies to urgently address the challenge before it degenerates.
According to the group: “The CEG learnt that a media mogul, who attended the Port Harcourt meeting was mandated to carry out the plot of a south-south strategy for the Edo governorship polls.”
The group further alleged that an initial allocation of N50 million was approved for the people’s mobilisation.
The statement reads in part: “The media mogul alongside other PDP leaders had intense consultation at the home of a notable Benin chief and a well-accomplished entrepreneur, where further deliberations were held on the funding and deployment of the ground forces.
“The meeting particularly targeted two local governments in the Edo South Senatorial district for maximum execution of the frontline strategy. However, the team of CEG security observers is actively monitoring the movement from the creeks to various parts of the state and is determined to expose the matter. We call for vigilance among the peace-loving citizens and voters of Edo State.”
Oteghe explained that the aim of the meeting “is to cause crisis that would necessitate either a nullification, suspension, cancellation and inconclusiveness of the election.”
Orbih said no amount of intimidation, blackmail and false accusation leveled against the party’s governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, would deter Edo people from voting for the PDP.
He said: “Governor Adams Oshiomhole has ignored issues critical to the development of the state. There is no doubt that Edo people have resolved to change the leadership in the state.”