Former Nigeria’s Vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has admonished Edo state electorate to defend their votes during Saturday September 20, 2024 governorship election in the state.
Atiku also charged them to replicate their support for the PDP candidate , Dr. Asue Ighodalo, as they did in 2020 during governor Godwin Obaseki’s re-election.
The former Vice president stated this during the party’s grand finale rally held in Benin City, the state capital.
According to him, “in 2020, they said they will not allow us us to win, but we showed them Edo is not Lagos.”
He added: “you can’t come and steal vote here in Edo. Therefore, protect your vote, defend your votes, make sure your votes are entered.
“Escort your votes and make sure they are announced, and if you do that, no body can change your votes and you are winning come september 21.”
Also, the Chairman, National Campaign Council, Edo 2024 Governorship Election and Governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, warned against compromised electoral process.
Fintiri charged the people to be resolute and not succumbed to intimidated, adding, “we will tell them we know how to win election and no body will rig us out.”
The Adamawa governor who likened Ighodalo to Obaseki, noted that governor Godwin Obaseki has done his best for the State and left a landmark in terms of human capital development.
On his part, Governor Godwin Obaseki said the ban of the state vigilante corps by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was an existential threat.
He said the PDP candidate was the best to lead the State, and urged for support.
Also, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Damagum, discribed the election as a test for Nigeria’s democracy.
He called on Nigerian and the international community to be alert and watch the Edo election closely to ensure it was not manipulated.