The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed deep worries over the allegation of arbitrary arrests and intimidation of members and supporters of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by federal security agencies ahead of this Saturday’s governorship election in the State.
It would be recalled that the Edo State PDP recently accused the police of unwarranted arrest and harassment of its members and supporters.
However, reacting to the development, Senator Ekweremadu, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently intervene to ensure a free, fair, and credible electoral process in Edo State.
“I am deeply distressed by the development, not just because I am a member of the PDP, but more importantly, because the PDP had taken our electoral process beyond where it is being dragged back to today.
“The greatest gift of democracy, which makes other blessings of democracy feasible, is the inalienable right of the people to elect their leaders of their own freewill in a free, fair, and credible electoral process that must be devoid of all forms of intimidation.
“As a beneficiary of the electoral reforms and policy of non-interference in the electoral process exemplified by the immediate past PDP administration led by former President Goodluck Jonathan, I expect the APC-led Federal Government to immediately call the security agencies to order. If the APC-led FG cannot improve on the electoral process, I expect them to at least maintain the standard set by the PDP”.
The Deputy President of the Senate also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, political elites, and the entire people of Edo State to work for the progress of the country and Edo State by ensuring a “credible, violence-free, and conclusive poll”.
He urged the Edo electorate to vote en masse for the PDP to change their fortunes for the better.
His words: “I believe it is now clear to Nigerians and the people of Edo State in particular that PDP is the only truly pan-Nigerian and pro-poor political party capable of turning things around for the nation. I expect Edo electorates to vent their displeasure over the excruciating hardship in the land by voting out the APC in Edo State.
“Also, since morning signposts the day, I expect the INEC to be fair to all and ensure a conclusive election in Edo State to reassure Nigerians that it would get it right in 2019”.
