Nobody will manipulate Edo poll — Jonathan

President Jonathan.

Ahead of the July 14 governorship election in Edo State, President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday, led ranking members of the Peoples Democratic Party to the state to rally support for the party’s candidate, Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere.

The President’s plane landed at the Benin Airport around 11.45am, where he was received by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, after which he moved to the Oba’s palace, where he had a brief private meeting with the monarch, Omo N’oba Erediauwa.

Addressing party supporters at the Samuel Ogbemudia stadium, Jonathan assured residents of the state of peaceful poll conduct, even as he called on PDP members in the state to mobilise to ensure victory.

Expressing his commitment to free and fair election, Jonathan thanked the people of the state for voting him during the 2011 presidential election, saying it was in the state he started his ‘one man, one vote’ campaign.

He said, “It was here in this state that I said that we must change the way we do elections in this country; this time around, there will be no thuggery, it is going to be one man one vote. I came here to promise the people of Edo State that they should keep faith with that promise.

“This morning before I came, I asked the Inspector-General of Police, ‘Are you ready for Edo State?’ He said yes. I asked the Chief of Defence Staff, ‘Are you ready for Edo State?’ He said yes.

“I guarantee 100 per cent security for your election and there will be no manipulation, election results will be entered at the various units and nobody will change figures.

“PDP is the dominant party. As long as you mobilise and vote PDP, we will win. I am sure that, come July 14, PDP will rule Edo.”

A chieftain of the party, Chief Tony Anenih, who spoke earlier, said Jonathan’s visit ended rumours that the President would not grace PDP’s campaign in the state.

Assuring on the party’s preparedness for the election, Anenih said, “We want to put in place a government that will be responsive to the yearnings of the people. Mr. President, your presence here has raised our hope.

“You have energised us. We need a free and fair election. We want to make sure that on Election Day, all the candidates will be given equal opportunity to vote and go home.”

Those on the President’s entourage to Edo included Vice-President Namadi Sambo; PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur; and state chairman, Chief Dan Orbih.

Others included the Secretary to the Federal Government, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, Governors Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Seriaki Dickson (Bayelsa), Liyel Imoke (Cross River) and Idris Wada (Kogi).