By kawaekwune Jeffrey
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the ongoing Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has condemned the alleged arrest of some of his supporters, particularly in Uromi, where one of them was purportedly detained while attempting to be accredited at a polling unit.
Ighodalo, while speaking on Saturday, decried what he called the actions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters, accusing them of trying to undermine the election process.
It would be recalled that Ighodalo had raised similar concerns earlier in the campaign, stressing the need for a fair electoral process. In his latest statement, he said: “No one should carry a gun into a polling unit. It’s against the law, it’s against the regulation.”
He also expressed disappointment with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for delays in delivering materials.
He added:”This is a single-state election; INEC has had all the time to prepare,” he remarked. “We are not comfortable with the little shenanigans going on, particularly from the APC guys. They are trying to subvert the process.”
Ighodalo emphasized that his party would win the election by a landslide: He said:”We have spent ten months talking to the people. They believe us, and the numbers I’m hearing from Edo North, Central, and South overwhelm me.”
Despite these challenges, he praised the Nigerian military for their role in maintaining order,
He stated, “The military has made me proud. They have taken charge and shown great responsibility….The person arrested was at his polling unit trying to be accredited. Authorities should create a free and fair playing field. It’s getting too much, particularly from the Police Force.”
