Why not next week? Oshiomhole asks INEC
Adams Oshiomhole, governor of Edo state, is wondering why the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not extend the election by one week.
Speaking when he appeared on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Oshiomhole said the postponement of the exercise took him unawares.
Accusing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to perpetrate illegality, he said INEC had genuine reasons for rescheduling of the exercise.
“I think two weeks is too long. But first let me say that we have reported to the police and the police arrested PDP officials who collided with INEC electoral officer in Etsako central to use the data capturing machine in the home of PDP leaders,” he said.
“We also have evidence of the infiltration of militants. I have security reports… As for the two weeks, I think INEC is putting it too long. On the 24th would be two weeks, and on the 26th is the coronation of the Oba of Benin. Before that day, there are couple of things that the crown prince is expected to do. I don’t think it will be fair to put an election in that period that a major event will happen in this kingdom.
“If INEC was ready to do election today, what is wrong with doing it next week? Next week will be fine. Two weeks is too far.”
He dismissed the reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind the postponement, saying: “Like everybody else, I was very surprised and I made a comment on that. First, we had our final rally on Tuesday, if I had an idea that the election would be postponed, we would have postponed our rally.
“The whole idea was to bring our rally to a close so that we can spend time dealing with election logistics.
“If they have doubts that Edo state belongs to the APC, that our people have accepted APC for good, the outcome of our rally would have shown them.
“PDP was afraid to use an open space for a rally, they used a small hall. Even at that, they couldn’t get enough people to fill the hall. But we had the stadium overflowing, sea of heads. I have never seen that kind of crowd in my life. So, who is afraid?”
Earlier, Oshiomhole had said it was regrettable that in spite of security reports urging the electoral body to postpone the election, INEC remained rigid.
He said the commission should be ready to take responsibility for any action if it decides to conduct the election against security advice.
Oshiomhole urged members of the APC in the state to be vigilant and “de-rig the opposition parties with their permanent voters card (PVC)”.
He alleged that governors of neighbouring Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers states were preparing to bring militants into the state to perpetrate violence during the election.
He advised persons who might be used for such act to have a rethink or be prepared to face the consequences.
Kudos to Oshi Bobo. Few hours ago, as the chief security officer of the state, he “insisted” that election must hold as scheduled. Now, there are “good” reasons for the postponement of the scheduled election. He even boast of receiving “security reports” justifying the postponement.
Oshiomole in his characteristic manner will resist the postponement with all that is within his powers (including name calling and shouting at top of his voice like he did when he wasn’t too sure he was going to win his re-election bid four years ago). This gentle man “condemnation” of what is obviously suspicious is a clear departure from the Oshiomole we knew right from his days in NLC to the last 8years as governor of Edo State. Could it be that the postponement is a case of the proverbial “hand of Esau but the voice of Jacob”. Nigeria we hail thee O jare.