In some parts of Benin City Security was beefed up and social activities interrupted as the two political parties: the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress APC, held rallies in Benin City.
While the PDP held its rally at Urokpota Hall open ground which created road block around Ring Road and other related roads, the APC held its own rally at the Ekheuan Campus of the University of Benin and this also resulted to traffic around Ekheuan Road and other related roads
There was presence of security personnel at the two venues which are about four kilometres away from each other. Security personnel including an Armoured Personnel Carrier were deployed to the venues as early as 8:am
A carnival-like march came before the PDP’s rally, which was organised by the Edo Voters Volunteers Assembly (EVVA), a body made up of youths and women, mobilised from the 12 wards in Oredo Local Government Area of the state.
While addressing the rally, Obaseki threatened to deal ruthlessly with political thugs who engage in risky behaviour or undermine law and order in any part of the State.
He also told the residents of the State to call allocated phone lines whenever they are in any form of distress ahead of the September 19, 2020 Governorship election in the State.
“Do not be afraid, we are more than them. They cannot overpower us.
“We will tell them that Edo is not a lawless State”, he said.
On the other hand, the APC which rally was in Oredo local government area in continuation of its campaigns across the 18 local government areas described the four year administration of Obaseki as “abysmal failure” and urged the people to vote.
According to a former chairman of Oredo local government council, Osaro Obazee: “Haven failed to perform, we in Oredo have decided to give Obaseki the red card.”
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The candidate of the APC, Pastor Osagie Ie-Iyamu said Obaseki reduced the membership of Edo south from majority to minority as he inaugurated only three out of the ten lawmakers that represent the seven local governments in the zone.
He said: “The man who says he is from Oredo refused to inaugurate the two members elected in his local government area. What he did was a conspiracy against Edo South. Can we give somebody who reduced Edo south from majority to minority a second term? What he did was a conspiracy against Edo South. Obaseki has sinned against Edo youths”
While explaining his agenda, he accused Obaseki of not empowering Edo people as he brought in people from outside the state to do all kinds of job just as he accused him of not spending the huge security votes he collects monthly.”
On his part, the former national chairman of the APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said “When you have a good product, you don’t need too much advertisement to sell it, Ize-Iyamu is a good product. Four years ago, I did all the talking because it was a hard product to sell. They say I want to be a godfather, if I want to be a godfather, I should be a godfather to a good child”
