Edo election: Group warns of revolutionary response to potential election rigging, issues caution to stakeholders

A group, the Edo Democracy Movement (EDM) has issued a stern warning to the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the forthcoming Edo governorship election.

The movement stated that any attempt by the APC to rig the election would trigger a major backlash, potentially sparking a revolution that would begin in Edo State and resonate across Nigeria.

The convener of the movement, Comrade Omoregbe Osayiuwa, said there is high political awareness in Edo State and the people are determined to protect their democratic rights ahead of the election scheduled for September 21, 2024.

“Any attempt by the APC to rig the forthcoming Edo governorship election will be met with unprecedented resistance, sparking a revolution that will reverberate across Nigeria, beginning from Edo State,” Osayiuwa declared in a statement sent to journalists on Saturday, August 31.

The EDM has also issued a strong caution to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, urging them to maintain impartiality and not succumb to any political pressure.

“We caution the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to remain impartial and resist any pressure from politicians to destabilize our state,” the statement read.

The group stated that Edo State is not one of those states that can be politically manipulated.

“Edo is not one of those states that will be subjugated or manipulated for political gains. The high level of political awareness among the people of Edo will not allow for any compromise on the sanctity of their votes,” the group asserted.

Meanwhile, the Etsako Youth Movement (EYM) has strongly criticized recent statements by the ousted Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu, regarding his purported intention to expose Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The youth group has described Shaibu’s comments as “laughable” and asserted that if anyone is to be exposed, it is Shaibu himself, citing his alleged incompetence, disloyalty, and repeated attempts to undermine his former boss.
In a statement released recently, Johnson Umoru, the leader of the EYM, lambasted Shaibu for what he termed “desperate and baseless” claims aimed at tarnishing the image of Governor Obaseki.