BENIN CITY…An Elder Statesman and former Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Chairman of the 18 Local Government Council Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Edo State, Pa Daniel Owegie has called on the Governorship candidates for the September 19 Governorship polls to eschew violence and carry out their campaigns according to the rules and laws of the land.

In a statement issued today in Benin City, Pa Owegie noted that media reports around the upcoming Edo State Governorship election indicate the resort to violence and threat to peaceful polls, noting that Edo State has always been peaceful during elections urging the contestants to focus more on their manifestos and what they can do for Edo people rather threatening their opponents with violence.

“I am worried with some of the news I watch on television and read in the newspapers about the forthcoming governorship election. From my experience about elections, it is God that gives power. Nobody should play God in other candidates lives because you never can tell who God will thrust the leadership of the state upon after the election. Someone might be declared winner by the umpire but the court will give a verdict that it’s the opponent that won. So, let all the candidates play the game of politics according to the rules set by INEC and the Electoral Act as amended.” Dan Owegie advised.

Pa Owegie, with decades of experience in Edo politics called on youths in the state not to make themselves available for politicians to use for destructive or lethal missions, urging that any youth approached by the politician for thuggery services should encourage such politician to line their children in front first, asserting that youths of Edo State should consider their future and not to die or get permanently maimed for any politician.

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“If you go and carry gun to kill for any politician and you are cut in the cross fire, you will have yourself to blame. So, no youth in Edo State should make himself available for gun running, ballot box snatching or brigandage of any form during this campaigns and election period.” Owegie said.

In like manner, the Octogenarian called on parents to keep an eye on their children and ensure that none of them is available for use by politicians so that they don’t regret what might befall them at the end.

Pa Owegie called on traditional and religious institutions to sustain prayers for peace in Edo State during this period of elections.

He called on security agencies to carry out their duties with high level of professionalism in dealing with security challenges that may arise this period and must be seen to be fair to all parties participating in the election.