The Peoples Democratic Party has called on the citizens of Edo State to participate in the upcoming governorship election on September 21, 2024, without fear of thugery.
In a statement, the PDP urged residents to defend themselves against alleged fake security personnel reportedly deployed by the All Progressives Congress to threaten voters, steal ballot boxes, and disrupt the election process.
The party claims that APC may be using thugs disguised in police and military uniforms, allegedly imported from Imo and Kogi States, according to Leadership.
PDP National Publicity Secretary Hon. Debo Ologungaba emphasized the need for enhanced security measures, calling on the Inspector General of Police and the Independent National Electoral Commission to provide clear identification badges for all security personnel assigned to polling units.
This is intended to prevent the infiltration of fake security operatives.
He warned that any APC affiliates attempting to disrupt the election will face severe consequences.
The PDP also urged INEC to ensure the election’s credibility by safeguarding against APC’s alleged manipulations and delivering sensitive electoral materials—such as voters’ registers and ballot papers—promptly to designated locations.
The party instructed its polling agents to be vigilant, particularly in inspecting the INEC Biometric Voter Accreditation System for any preloading before voting begins.
They are also tasked with ensuring that results are transmitted directly to the INEC portal and shared with the PDP’s Election Situation Room for documentation.
Noting that PDP stands for peace, he said “Our Party and the people of Edo State will use every legitimate means available in a democratic resistance to protect our democracy and ensure that nobody subverts the Will of the people at the poll.
“Our Party also restates that any APC thug that attempts to cause crisis or snatch ballot box in this election will surely face the wrath of the people and the law.”
“INEC should also ensure that sensitive electoral materials including voters register, ballot papers and result sheets for specified and particular Polling Units are delivered timely to their appropriate locations so as to prevent the possibility of a deliberate switching of such electoral materials to wrong locations.
“The PDP directs its Polling Agents to be extra vigilant and inspect the INEC BVAS to ensure that they are not preloaded before accreditation and voting. They should ensure that all results are immediately and directly transmitted to INEC Portal and send copies of such results to the PDP Election Situation Room for documentation.
“The PDP is poised for victory. Our Party and the people of Edo State have worked hard for this election and will stop at nothing to ensure that nobody undermines the Will of the people at the poll,” PDP said.
