The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Godwin Obaseki has called for non-violent election ahead of the Sep.19, Edo gubernatorial poll.
The governor made the call during a one-day prayer and fasting service organised to ensure a peaceful poll on Wednesday in Benin. Obaseki pointed out that there was no need for any form of violence during the poll.
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“If the government is doing as much as expected, Nigeria will be a heaven because I see what the church does with little resources they have. When the government fails, it is the church that carries the burden. As a governor, how many people have not been able to pay school fees and hospital bills? When people are not able to meet their daily obligations, they are not able to eat, they go to the pastor or the church,” said Obaseki.
The governor also added that “But if the government has done things it is supposed to do, it’s able to provide an enabling environment for people to do business, provide good education and provide quality primary healthcare. Thank God for the church we have today; thank God for the men and women we have in the church today; I am glad and blessed that these men and women are my pillars.
“Ordinary an election is supposed to a contest where people go sell their idea and citizens in their own free will go and vote for those ideas they believe in. It shouldn’t be the one where people will do anything to get power.
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“Election should not be the one that shed blood, because the election will always come, if you die in an election, you will not be there in the next one to vote. So there is no need for violence. It’s unfortunate that where we are today, we are all afraid that there will be trouble, there will be crisis and violence,” he said.
The governor expressed optimism for a peaceful election in the state. “But by the Grace of God, we will all come out and vote and there won’t be any bloodshed. There is no need for any violence, if anybody decides to act in a violent manner, just walk away, because our life is very precious and I said I have a covenant with God. If it will cause the blood of anybody for me to get into power, he should not let me have power,” said the governor.
, Governor Godwin Obaseki has called for non-violent election ahead of the Sep.19, Edo gubernatorial){kind=link}