Edo Ijaw accuses INEC, Opposition Leaders Of Plans To Disenfranchise Riverine Voters, Appeals To Obaseki To Intervene

By Stephen Asaba-ase

A political pressure group under the auspices of the Coalition of Riverine communities, Edo state has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and suspected opposition leaders in Edo State of plotting to stop the registration of legible voters in the riverine communities.

The group in a statement signed and issued by its national president Comrade Owei Godfrey Owei, Comrade Daniel Ezekiel,

Spokesperson, Mr. Samuel Oroupa, secretary and Hon. Ayedi Ikiyokepere, Publicity Secretary said that some compromised INEC staff in collaboration with opposition leaders in Ovia federal constituency were trying to shortchange the people in riverine part of Edo state precisely, Ofuanama and Inikorogha wards in Ovia South West,local government area of the state.

According to the group, a reliable information reaching them indicated that all plans had been perfected by such elements to deny the two wards registration machines in order to deny them the opportunity to participate in the registration exercise that would be commencing a few days from now.

The statement reads, “We cannot close our mouths while some compromised INEC staff in collaboration with opposition leaders in Ovia federal constituency are trying to short change our people in riverine part of Edo state,Ofuanama and Inikorogha wards to be precised, all in Ovia south west, local government area of the state.

“Reliable information reaching us says that all plans have been perfected by these elements to deny the two wards registration machines in order to deny them the opportunity to participate in the registration exercise that is going to kick off in a few days time.

“It is a known fact that these two wards are not just a stronghold of PDP, but has always been a deciding factor who becomes the Governor of the state because of its voting strength.

“For these unscrupulous characters to have their way in rigging genuine voters out, hence their reason for this plot, which 20 million naira has been set aside by a criminal opposition leader, who is on a wanted list of security agencies in Canada for his involvement in internet fraud.

“Having discovered the scheme at this early stage, we are calling on Governor Godwin Obaseki to please step in and nip in the bud this potential threat to the peace of the riverine area because this desperation is what we call taken too far .

“Finally, we call on the INEC state commissioner to call its staff to order, not to allow themselves to be used by wicked politicians to shortchange our people, because we shall resist this oppression with the last drop of our blood”,the statement reads.