Edo LG Polls: Oshiomhole explains PDP boycott

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

Former governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole has explained the reasons why Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted this Saturday Local government election in the state.
He disclosed this during APC Mega rally on Thursday at Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City ahead of this Saturday Local Government election in the state.
Edo State chapter of the PDP had approached a Benin High court to, among others,
determine whether the state House of Assembly was right or wrong to reduce the notice for the conduct of the Poll from 90 to 45 days ahead of Saturday election.
Oshiomhole said for the first time in history, the main opposition party opted out of the election without a punch. He noted that PDP action has clearly demonstrated that they do not have regard for governance at the grassroots level, but only national elections.
He recalled that on December 16, 2007 greedy politicians used the security apparatus of the then PDP led-government to upturn the wishes of the electorate, which was given to him by the judiciary. Irked by the development, he then launched the one man, one vote campaign at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City, which he claimed sent “the godfathers away and enthroned democratic leadership in Nigerian political space.”
According to him, “On December 16, 2007, PDP rigged Edo Local Government election. They used the military to harass everybody. Ten years ago, we promised to eradicate Godfathers in Edo State. That was why we launched the one-man-one-vote campaign. And it is interesting to witness in our lifetime that the PDP has surrendered even without a punch,” he said.