The candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Godwin Obaseki, on
Thursday, said that he would emerge victorious by a wide margin in the Edo
State governorship election scheduled for September 28.
Obaseki, who disclosed this during an interview with journalists
in Benin, the state capital, explained that there were indications across the
state that the APC would win by 75 per cent.
“From all the feelers we are getting from across the state, the
indications are that we will win by 75 per cent. That is what the Gallup poll I
monitored last night indicated. Particularly in Edo-South, things have improved
quite significantly from the last poll that we received.”
The APC candidate also stated that the opposition Peoples
Democratic Party had become jittery due to the rate of defections from the
opposition party, especially in Edo-Central, which many regarded as one of the
PDP’s “stronghold”.
He explained, “Edo-Central has been very interesting. The amount
of defections from the PDP has, essentially, crumbled the opposition party in
the centre and even their strongholds. They are becoming very jittery.
“Edo-North is essentially open to us, apart from a few units in
Akoko-Edo and one unit in Owan-East. So, from what we can see today, barring
any unforeseen circumstances, barring violence that would scare people from the
poll and barring any attempt by the opposition party to cause disruption in
some highly populated voting units so that the results from those units would
be inconclusive, we believe that we are very comfortable.”
Obaseki, who raised concerns about the alleged movement of
suspected militants into the state, however, expressed confidence in the
ability of security agencies to forestall any interference with the election
process.
He said, “Well, we were worried but we are no longer worried
because if you were in Benin yesterday, you should have seen the demonstration
of force by the combined team of military and police, essentially trying to
reassure the people that the security situation in the state is intact.
“We also are very encouraged by the arrests that are being made
across the state. You will recall that two nights ago, some militants who were
being lodged in some hotels were arrested and I hope the investigations will
lead to more arrests.
“I know that, based on reports and petitions, security forces are
on the alert in the riverine areas, particularly along the River Niger and in
places like Agenebode, where they planned to import militants from Idah (Kogi
State) across the water. This plot is being financed by one of the well-known
PDP leaders from the area.”
PUNCH
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