By Lucky Isibor,
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has alleged that its main opponent in 19 September governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC), is massively printing fake Permanent Voter’s Cards to deploy to rig the election.
The PDP noted that the APC having realised they can’t win the forth coming governorship election has resulted to all manner of shenanigans to either foment trouble so that the election can be postponed or rig it.
Speaking with with journalists in Benin on Sunday on the party’s campaign journey so far, state publicity secretary of the party, Chris Nehikhare said, “We need to alert the general public that we are aware of the criminal printing of Permanent Voters Card (PVC) by All Progressives Congress in some of the offices here in Edo State. I say this now not because we are worried they can use it for election but because of the criminal aspect. The security agencies have been alerted but unfortunately they are not doing anything; we told them the address where it is taking place and the people doing it, but till this minute nobody has been arrested.
“Some criminal elements within APC are printing PVC to be used on election day . They discovered that they can’t win free, fair election and they are trying all manner of ways to subvert the will of Edo people. But we are telling Edo people that we are confident of winning not just because of the performance of the governor, but because Edo people are tired of godfatherism.
While berating the APC for allegedly trailing the PDP campaign with violence, Nehikhare thanked Edo people for coming out enmasse to receive the governor and his campaign team, noting that the campaign has been a huge success.
“So far, the campaigns have been very successful, we were received very well by Edo people in all the wards visited. The enthusiasm of the people have been unprecedented. We are very pleased this is happening and they are not rented crowds.
Reacting to the allegation that APC was printing votes card, the party’s publicity secretary, Chris Azebamwen called the accusation a product of ignorance as nobody can use cloned voters card in the election.
“It is a mark of ignorance for PDP to accuse leaders of APC of criminally printing PVCs. Any politician who does that will be wasting his/her time and money, because INEC’s card readers will reject the fake PVCs”, Azebamwen said.
While refuting the allegation that APC was instigating violence to create room for postponement of the election, Azebamwen said, “PDP leaders want the election to be postponed, because the party is not on ground in Edo State.”
