Nigeria democracy sitting on keg of gunpowder – Secondus claims

By Osaigbovo Iguobaro, Benin

The national Chairman of Peoples Democratic party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has described Nigeria democracy to a nation that is ‘on a keg of gunpowder in which no one can foretell the ending due to ‘rigging’ during elections.
He said this during Edo PDP Mega rally to round-off its Governorship Campaign on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium in Benin City ahead of Governorship election on Saturday.
Secondus, called on President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as heads of the various security agencies in Nigeria to march words with action and deliver credible election in Edo State in order for their bogus assurances not to end up as mere rhetoric.
He demanded for an end to rigging and other electoral malpractices, adding that if the electoral umpire under the watch of President Muhammadu Buhari fail to deliver on their electoral mandate, they will be no need for further elections in Nigeria.
“The IGP, the Director of DSS and other heads of security agencies have made promises towards a free and fair election in Edo. We want to see if you will fulfill your promises.
“If you do not fulfill your promises, they will be no election in Nigeria again because it is one man, one vote.
“Nigeria democracy is on a keg of gunpowder because of rigging. Rigging must stop here in Edo; If not, it will be difficult to carry on with elections in Nigeria.
“If you do not fulfill your promises, they will be no election in Nigeria again because it is one man, one vote”, he said.
He also warned Mr. Ahmed Bola Tinubu, former Governor of Lagos State not to extend his expansionist tendency from Lagos State to Edo State not to lose his respect.
“Your expansionist tendency, you can’t extend it to Edo State. Edo is South South. So, punish that leader by voting for Obaseki on that. Punish APC and Oshiomhole on that day. No more godfatherism.
“How can somebody come from Lagos and want to be godfather in Edo State?”, he quarried.
According to him, “The American government has put in more risk to election riggers…Those who will rig Edo election will be restricted with their families. If they have American Visa, that Visa will be cancelled no matter how highly placed they may be.
“We call on the other Countries. Other democratic Countries, the European Union (EU), the United Kingdom (UK) and all the other Countries…”, Secondus stressed.
Addressing the rally, the national Chairman of PDP Campaign Council for Edo Governorship election and Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike and the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, appealed to Stakeholders in the election to ensure that the votes count.
The duo, called on PDP eligible voters in Edo State Governorship election to be vigilance and resist plot by some highly placed politicians outside the State to undermine steal victory from the jaws of the oppressed.
Wike emphasized that though, the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmud Yakubu had said nobody will rig the election and that the election will be free and fair. But, they owe Nigerians a duty towards ensuring that their promises do not end up as mere rhetoric.
“What we have come to let you know is this. Do not say because you have won, then go and sit down.