BENIN CITY – Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party of stoking religious sentiments to sway voters in the forthcoming elections, saying in its desperation, the PDP has bought some church leaders to preach against the APC and taint it as a Muslim party.
While receiving a former Local Government Chairmanship aspirant of the PDP and about two thousand of his supporters into the APC, yesterday, Oshiomhole warned the PDP not to polarize the country along religious lines, saying it is dangerous for the polity as both Christians and Muslims have been victims of the PDP’s misrule in the past 16 years.
According to him, the PDP has made copies of a documentary which has been distributed to churches to the effect that General Muhammau Buhari would Islamise the country when he is voted as the next President of the country in the March 28 election.
He said: “Some pastors after collecting money are now preaching that Buhari wants to convert the nation to Islam. When Buhari was Head of State with absolute power, did he convert Nigeria to Islam? Did he convert Dodan Barracks to an Islamic enclave? Are there not Christian Generals all over the place?
“The issue of this election is not about religion or tribe. It is about who has what it takes to repair our country. It is about who will give us light. If PDP couldn’t give us light in 16 years, shouldnít we give it to someone else? Take a critical look at this election, when NEPA takes light, do they segregate between Christians and Muslims? When they bring fixed charges, do they differentiate between Christians and Muslims? Are both Christians and Muslims not suffering the inefficiency of PDP’s 16 years of mis-governance?
“They are saying APC is a Muslim Party. How can a party that parades Christians such as me, Chief John Oyegun, Prof Osinbanjo and many others be described as a Muslim Party? Now let is look at it, if Nigeriaís problem is about religion, since 1999 till now, Christians have ruled the nation for 14 years, how come if it is really about religion that despite ruling for 14 years, Nigeria that ought to be like heaven is still like hell?
“Nobody should use Godís name to deceive the people. The matter of governance is not about what you claim but about the state of your heart. In this state, from 1999 till now, all those that have governed Edo State are all Christians yet those that governed from 1999 till 2007 did nothing. Are we not all Christians but is it all of us that worked? They even stole from Church because when you do not pay salaries for 3 months can the workers pay their tithe?
ìIn Edo State, Christians, Muslims and Traditional worshippers live together in peace and harmony. Across Edo State you find people of different religion and nobody should bring religious war to Edo State.”
While appealing to the people to jealousy guard their PVCs, Oshiomhole said: In this local government we have always won and in this 2015, we will still win.
“PDP has destroyed Nigeria and we must vote them out. Now they are planning how to rig the election but it won’t work. If anyone approaches you to sell your PVC, do not sell it. Don’t sell your voting right for one meal. When they approach you to exchange your PVC for money, refuse and let them know that your poverty cannot be negated for stupidity.
“This month of March, by the Grace of God we are marching to victory.”
Leader of the decampees, Chief Edegbe Ugbogbo said he went to test the PDP but couldnít cope and assured the Governor that he will collaborate with the APC leadership to sustain development in the state as he is very impressed with the developmental strides of the State Governor.
“I am here with my followers to formally return to the All Progressive Congress and come March 28th and April 11th, 2015, we will ensure that APC wins in all the wards of this Local Government.”
Gov. Adams Oshiomhole
