Edo PDP declares nine electoral officers abducted

The Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has reported that nine electoral officers who were scheduled to conduct the delegates' congresses in Etsako Central local government area of Edo State were abducted at Jattu and their whereabouts are unknown.

The party urged the inspector general of police (IGP) to order an expeditious probe into the incident and to guarantee the immediate release of the personnel who were impacted, as their families are distressed over what happened to their loved ones.

Despite the controversy surrounding the conduct of the delegates congress, Tony Aziegbemi, the party's chairman, called the exercise the finest in the history of elections and congresses as he spoke to reporters at the party office in Benin City.

He urged the nine resentful candidates for governorship who abstained from the process to take their complaints to the appeal tribunal chaired by former governor Seriaki Dickson.

Additionally, he praised Governor Godwin Obaseki and the PDP supporters for holding credible, fair, and free congresses in all 18 of the state's local government districts.

Aziegbemi said, ” We have never seen well-organised congresses in the history of elections in Nigeria. The congresses held in Edo State were the best since 1999. The congresses took place in all INEC collation centres and the process was very credible. We did this to let the whole world know that PDP in Edo State is the best organized because of the strong leadership of the party.

“We had only one incident and the panel decided to cancel Etsako Central because the vehicle conveying electoral officers was hijacked in Jattu and to this very moment the kidnapped victims are yet to be seen.”

On the complaints by the other aspirants on the conduct he said, ” We vehemently disagree with them because the process put in place was very robust and credible. I expect that whatever complaint they have, they should approach the panel headed by Seriaki Dickson with their grievances.

“I urge them to be more circumspect and consider the image of the party. PDP must retain its tenancy in Osadebey’s avenue and that is why we are doing everything to carry everybody on board. The governor is ever ready to have a conversation with anybody on the way forward.”

Source