The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate for the Edo Central senatorial election, Prince Joe Okojie, have appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be professional in their activities during the forthcoming by-election.
They made the call during their campaigns in the communities participating in the election.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with traditional rulers in Igueben, Okojie said INEC has no choice but to be professional and exuded confidence that he would win the election.
He said his priority would be to urge the federal government to fix the senatorial district’s bad roads.
Okojie said, “I am pretty confident that the PDP will prevail, and if I am not sure that we can beat our opposition, I will not be in the race. I think my chances are pretty high.
“I will win all five local government areas that make up the constituency, and INEC has no choice but to do the right thing. I am confident that they will do what is necessary.
“People often misconstrue what legislative duties are about however, I reckon that when you are in the senate, you will be able to put a thing or two in the budget and there are quite a number of projects that I have highlighted that I think needs immediate attention, If you look at our senatorial district all the federal roads need attention. I am campaigning through the length and breadth of Esan land. I realised that it is virtually impossible to move from point A to point B so my first assignment will be to see how I can prevail on the federal ministry of works to pay attention to these roads and see what it can do to alleviate the suffering of my people.
“I am disposed to setting up skills acquisition centres so people can learn skills,” he said.
Also, the state chairman of the PDP, Hon. Tony Aziegbemi, said INEC and security agencies failed in their responsibilities in the 2024 governorship election.
Still, he expects a different approach from them on Saturday.
He said, “There are laws that govern elections. The Electoral Act guides everybody, and the security agencies are supposed to be impartial. That didn’t happen in 2024. That was why the party called for the redeployment of the REC.
“However, we are getting prepared for this election, we are more than ready for this election and we are calling on the INEC and the security agencies to play their parts because the average Nigerian citizen pay their salaries and not the APC so they should be as impartial, as unbiased as they possible can that is the only way they can restore the confidence of the people.”
