Edo 2020 : PDP upbeat as APC alleged sponsor opinion poll favours Obaseki’s re-election
By The Edo State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said its chances of winning the September 19 governorship election has been heightened following the favourable results of the opinion poll allegedly conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, who made the remark at a press briefing in Benin City on Sunday, alleged that the opinion poll sponsored by the leadership of the main opposition party in the state gave victory to Governor Godwin Obaseki in 16 local government council out of the 18 local government areas in the state.
Nehikhare, who commended the people of the state for making the party’s governorship candidate, Governor Godwin Obaseki their choice, noted that whatever the governor is doing, is for the general well being of the people.
“We are not unaware that the APC few weeks ago commissioned a reputable poll company to carry out an opinion poll to ascertain its chances of winning the governorship election.
“As soon as the APC leaders got the result it started causing confusion and chaos in their midst because the result showed that the PDP wins overwhelming at least in 16 LGAs out of the 18 local governments leaving only two councils for APC
“Edo people are very sophisticated. They know who their friends are, they know who to support and how to make the support work.
“We want to congratulate the Edo people for the beautiful choice they are making to reelect Godwin Obaseki for a second term”,he said.
The PDP spokesperson, who appealed to those funding the APC candidate within and outside the state to withdraw their support for the party, however, advised them to use the money to support the PDP government come November 12, 2020 when the governor will be sworn-in for a second term.
He alleged that the result of the self- sponsored opinion poll has now heightened the opposition party’s desperation by resorting to violence and attacks on members of the party.
“The consequence of the opinion poll result now make the APC desperate to have the election postponed hence there is increase in their violent attacks”, he added.
While noting that members of PDP cannot wait till November 12, 2020 for the state governor, Godwin Obaseki to be sworn for a second term in November 12, he urged the party’s supporters and faithful to shun any form of violence, retaliation and attack on the APC members.
“In spite of the vicious attacks on our members and supporters, I appeal to them not to be provoked or retaliate. We need our PVCs and thumb print to shut them out of the government house permanently on September 19”,he added.
He also accused the All Progressives Congress of carrying out incessant attack on its members and supporters in the state.
The party’s publicity secretary alleged that the continued unwarranted attack on its members across the state are geared towards compelling the federal government to declare a state of emergency in the state and thereby postponing the election.
“The APC is perpetuating the violence with a view to get the election postponed and declared state of emergency in the state.
“The attack increased because APC contracted a reputable firm to conduct an opinion poll and the result Obaseki is the choice of Edo people and that PDP would win overwhelmingly.
” We want the election to hold,. Edo people want the election to but APC want the election postpone”he alleged.
But when contacted, John Mayaki, Chairman, Edo State APC Media Campaign Council alleged that members of PDP are the one attacking members of APC and its supporters.
Mayaki further alleged that the Election Security Threat Analysis report of the Police warning of violence in the Edo Governorship election due to politicians’ importation of arms and thugs is an affirmation of APC previous petitions and warnings on the criminal arms build-up by the PDP and its candidate.
He did not, however, speak on the opinion poll allegedly sponsored by the party as well as its outcome.