ONDO 2020: FIRE OUTBREAK DESTROYS CARD READERS AND ELECTION MATERIALS.... Onuesoke Queries INEC'S Preparedness

A prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has called on party leaders and true lovers of democracy in Ondo and Edo states to ensure that they move their supporters to massively support the candidacy of Godwin Obaseki as duly re-elected governor, come Saturday, September 19, 2020.

Onuesoke, a former gubernatorial aspirant in delta state, made this call on Monday evening while reacting to questions from reporters on the fire outbreak in Ondo state, expressed his concerns over the incident especially with the Governorship elections just around the corner.

According to the PDP chieftain, the election in Edo state must not be allowed to fall into the hands of persons whose sole purpose of contesting election is to foist some already failed politicians on the good people of Edo state.

He expressed deep concerns over the fire incident that razed down the INEC office in Ondo state describing as one act that must be thoroughly investigated and should not be covered up or swept under the carpet like other previous incidents.

“The claims by INEC that card readers and some other election materials were destroyed in the fire incident at their office in Ondo, is a ploy to deliberately disenfranchise Nigerians of their constitutional rights to vote for the candidate of their choice. It is another ploy to disenfranchise the PDP members in Ondo state and this, invariably will affect the chances of the PDP candidate”, he stated.

“Again, this incident is suspicious considering that the election is just around the corner and one is compelled to ask why INEC would allow such sensitive materials be exposed to fire outbreak”.

Onuesoke wondered how the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC will be able to conduct a free, fair and credible election in Ondo state come October 10 following the destruction of Card Readers and other electoral materials needed for the governorship election.

“Nigerians must remember the challenges encountered by INEC in previous elections through the use of its Card Readers that had elicited controversies across the country and as such, we must demand that INEC gives assurances of conducting credible elections in Ondo state”.

“The electoral body, through its Ondo state office has shown that it lacks capacity to handle and protect such sensitive materials entrusted in its care by Nigerians for the conduct of elections. How will INEC explain to Nigerians, especially the good people of Ondo state that it was unable to safeguard the Card Readers and other sensitive materials under its care”, the former governorship aspirant queried.

Speaking on the elections in Edo state, Onuesoke admonished the candidates to remember that the state belongs to all and as such, caution their supporters to eschew violence that is capable of destroying the peace and tranquil of the state.

“The All Progressive Congress APC candidate and his political godfather have shown their desperation to win the elections at all cost but fortunately, the recent online polls conducted has shown the preference of the good people of Edo state for the Godwin/Shaibu team under the platform of the PDP”.

“Nigerians have seen firsthand, the damages that the APC, especially at the national level, has done to our economy through its anti-people policies and programmes which has encouraged a high level of looting. Corruption, banditry, insurgency has assumed a dangerous proportion under the APC led government which is why the people of Edo state must reject the Adams Oshiomhole sponsored duo of Ize-Iyamu/Aliu team”.

“We, as stakeholders must ensure that persons with questionable character especially those facing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC bordering on fraudulent misappropriation and embezzlement of funds entrusted under their care, are denied the opportunity of having access to our common treasury”.