By SIMON EBEGBULEM
BENIN — Coalition of Registered Political Parties, CRPP, in Edo State and a political group in the state, Edo is in Safe Hands, have urged protesting members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who are aggrieved over the conduct of last Saturday local government elections in the state to go to court rather than take actions that may lead to bloodshed in the state.
Meanwhile, Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Folunso Adebanjo, yesterday, said he averted what would have led to a bloody clash between supporters of PDP and Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, at Ring Road Benin City.
While PDP supporters were protesting the swearing-in ceremony of the elected council chairmen, ACN supporters staged a rally, commending Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Edo State Independent National Electoral Commission, EDSIEC, for conducting a free and fair council poll.
However, the Commissioner sent a team of mobile policemen to disperse the youths, when it was obvious that they were to engage each other in a physical combat.
Meantime, Chairman of CRPP, Dr. Samson Isibor, told newsmen that the late arrival of materials, which marred the elections, was a human error and wondered the condemnation of the entire election by PDP.
He said: “We commend the governor and EDSIEC because this election was the freest and fairest we have ever witnessed in the state. When PDP was in government, we never held any council elections and that was why we are surprised that they are protesting.”
“We commend the governor and we advise that EDSIEC should do better in future election. Please anybody who is aggrieved should go to court. We don’t want bloodshed in the state.”
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