*PDP alerts on NDDC, APC’s plan to buy votes with N150m
*APC says PDP has written the results of the elections with PDP candidates as Chairmen/Councilors
Edo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Aziegbemi, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by a director with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and leading member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Edo to rig and buy votes during the September 2 Local Government elections with N150 million polled from the NDDC.
The Edo PDP Chairman, in a statement, said intelligence available to the party revealed that a Director with the Niger Delta Development Commission will be sharing N150 million at his residence in Benin City to leaders and members of the APC to finance the rigging plan ahead of next Saturday, September 2 Local Government elections in the state.
According to him, “We are once again drawing the attention of the world and all lovers of democracy to the glaring fact that the APC is attempting to rig the Local Government elections scheduled for Saturday, September 2, 2023, by mobilising N150 million from the Niger Delta Development Commission to execute their evil plan to buy votes and rig the elections.
“It is regrettable and disturbing that at a time when Edo people are suffering as a result of the criminally neglected federal roads and the biting economic hardship supervised by the APC led Federal Government, the party is deploying NDDC’s resources to subvert the will of Edo People.”
“It is shameful that the APC-led federal government is using funds meant for the development of the oil-rich Niger Delta to buy votes. We are sure that the resort to this shameful tactic is because the APC is certain of defeat.
“The N150 million should be deployed by the NDDC to fix the failed federal roads in Edo State. And if they are desirous of winning the elections they should campaign and sell their programmes and candidates to Edo people.”
APC Reacts, Says PDP Is A Dead Party
In its reaction, the All Progressive Congress (APC), Edo state said it was ashamed over the spurious allegations made by the beleaguered factional Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tony Aziegbemi, regarding a plot to rig and buy votes in the upcoming Local Government elections using N150 million from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Edo APC’s reaction was contained in a statement released today by its Assistant State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Victor Ofure Osehobo and made available to Alltimepost.com.
The statement further read: “These allegations are baseless and unfounded, but coming from a decapitated body, it is understandable. The Edo PDP is on life support. Nevertheless, the Edo APC is committed to a free and fair election process, and we believe in the power of our people to choose the next crop of Local government leaders without any external interference or manipulation. But this is a far cry with the junta in Edo.
Furthermore, the factional PDP Chairman’s statement regarding the use of NDDC funds is misleading and lacking in evidence. The NDDC operates independently and has its own budget and priorities. Any insinuation that NDDC funds will be used for illegitimate purposes is a blatant attempt to tarnish the reputation of the commission and the APC. But Mr Aziegbemi cannot understand this.
We also find it ironic that the Edo PDP which leader, for want of a better label, Governor Godwin Obaseki, has already written the results of the elections with PDP candidates as Chairmen/Councillors across the 18 local government areas is the party raising concerns.
As a party of losers, the PDP has shamelessly gone round the state in a charade with its leader the governor parading projects and programs that have suffered stillbirth since he took office.
For the records the Edo APC call on the PDP to retract it’s wild allegations. We believe that Edo people should have the opportunity to choose their leaders based on merit and cannot be swayed by false information and baseless accusations from a losers party like the PDP.
