Edo Guber: APGA Urges Neutrality of INEC, Security Agencies

By Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies to be alive to their constitutional responsibilities; within the confines of the law.

As part of the preparations for the forthcoming Edo State governorship election, the party said the two agencies needed to be at their best in order to ensure a level playing ground for all political parties and their candidates.

In a statement issued by the National Director of Publicity, Ifeanacho Oguejiofor, the party warned against “a repeat of the manifest sham, total disaster and grave fraud that happened against APGA in the Nasarawa/Toto federal constituency by-election in Nasarawa State on the May 28, 2016.”

The party said it was ready for the governorship election in Edo State and was mobilising all forces to ensure that APGA and its standard bearer; Earl Osaro Onaiwu, triumphs in the governorship contest regardless of the shenanigans, ploy and maneuvers of the APC and PDP.

“APGA remains the party to beat in the election. More so the party is in a studios silence watching and studying the events as they unfold in Abia State as regards to judgment of the Federal High Court, FCT, and subsequent issuance of Certificate of Return to Chief Uche Ogah by INEC. APGA will surely come out with its position and take the necessary and appropriate actions shortly.

Meanwhile, the party said that it feels the pains of average Nigerians at present economic difficulties.

It advised President Muhammad Buhari to take urgent and drastic steps to remedy and ameliorate the harsh, precarious and perilous economic situation in the country.

APGA said the situation cannot be attributed to the global economic recession only, but equally to some home-grown economic issues, which can be solved with better indigenous liberal approaches and policies, to stop the unprecedented hunger and the masses from dying in droves every day.

Meanwhile, the state chapter of the Labour Party (LP) is set for its party primary election where the over 150 delegates of the party will pick between former Private Secretary to Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Mr. Ofeimu Odia, and Pastor Amos Olelogbe as the governorship candidate for the September 10 election today Monday, July 4.

Labour Party at the weekend held its state congress election at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre during which the party elected its state executive headed by Kelly Ogbaloi as Chairman.

The National Secretary of the party, Julius Abure, who conducted the election, said the party was set to elect its governorship candidate on Monday, adding that Labour Party was now set for the September 10 election on its way to take over Osadebey Avenue come November 12, 2016.