Congress: Edo PDP Declares 9 Electoral Officers Kidnapped

Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said nine electoral officers heading to Etsako Central local government area of Edo State to conduct the delegates’ congresses were kidnapped at Jattu with their whereabouts unknown.

The party called on the inspector general of police (IGP) to order a swift investigation of the incident and promptly ensure the release of the affected officials, whose families are troubled by the fate of their loved ones.

The chairman of the party, Tony Aziegbemi, who addressed newsmen in Benin City at the party’s secretariat on the conduct of the delegates congress and the controversy that trailed it however described the exercise as the best in the history of elections and congresses.

He called on the aggrieved nine governorship aspirants that boycotted the exercise to approach former Governor Seriaki Dickson-led appeal panel with their grievances.

He also congratulated Governor Godwin Obaseki and PDP faithful for conducting free, fair and credible congresses across the 18 local government areas of the state.

Aziegbemi said, ” We have never seen well-organised congresses in the history of elections in Nigeria. The congresses held in Edo State were the best since 1999. The congresses took place in all INEC collation centres and the process was very credible. We did this to let the whole world know that PDP in Edo State is the best organized because of the strong leadership of the party.

“We had only one incident and the panel decided to cancel Etsako Central because the vehicle conveying electoral officers was hijacked in Jattu and to this very moment the kidnapped victims are yet to be seen.”

On the complaints by the other aspirants on the conduct he said, ” We vehemently disagree with them because the process put in place was very robust and credible. I expect that whatever complaint they have, they should approach the panel headed by Seriaki Dickson with their grievances.

“I urge them to be more circumspect and consider the image of the party. PDP must retain its tenancy in Osadebey’s avenue and that is why we are doing everything to carry everybody on board. The governor is ever ready to have a conversation with anybody on the way forward.”