Edo Decides: Obaseki calls for calm, hints on next plan

Godwin Obaseki, the Edo State Governor has urged citizens in the state to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property.

Obaseki made the call in his brief broadcast while reacting to the declaration of Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as winner of Saturday’s governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday.

He hinted that his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, will “seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process” through democratic means.

The electoral umpire declared APC winner with 291,667 votes against the Governor’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who polled 247,274 votes.

He opined that peace and justice would always win in the end and noted that, “this is my prescription to all the good people of Edo State who feel vexed and violated at this time.”

“It is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election

“But in the midst of this despair, I am urging all my fellow Edo citizens to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property in spite of this provocation.

“The attractive thing about democracy is the power it bestows on the people to choose who governs them. Therefore, when this power is blatantly seized from the people, it is not just a tragedy, but a travesty of democracy.

“Clearly, it is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election.

“In a democracy, there are safeguards for addressing grievances, and we hope that those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process.

“With this in mind, I implore all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses and rest assured of the commitment of our government to your wellbeing and security”, he said.