BENIN CITY – A grand plan by some members of the Niger Delta Volunteer Force, NDVF to infiltrate Edo State through the waterways ahead of the September 10 governorship polls has been exposed.
The militants are expected to invade the state through the waterways in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government and Agenebode, Etsako East Local government areas. The other entry points are said to be Epkeri and Anegbete in Etsako Central Local Government Area and Siloko in the Ovia North East Local Government. About 4, 000 of these militants are said to have been hired to carry out this dirty job.
One of the leaders of the group and an indigene of Edo State who simply gave his name as J.C Goddon otherwise known as Rambo said he is duty-bound to expose this evil plan of his colleagues-in-arms because “we are for free, fair and peaceful election in Edo State and the entire Niger Delta, nothing less.” According to him, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has done very well in Edo State just as Governor Wike has done so much for the people of Rivers State in his relatively short period in office. He said these two illustrious sons of Niger Delta remain their role model in governance in the region. He goes further to say that “this is not about political party but about the individual’s contribution to the development of the region.”
Goddon also reaveled that “I have advised some of my colleagues in other groups not to be used to destabilise the election in Edo, I also want to advise the youths here(Edo) not to allow themselves to be used to foment trouble before, during and after the election”. According to him, “we are ready to collaborate with the security agencies to frustrate this evil plot and to make sure that anybody that foment trouble is arrested to face the full weight of the law.”
According to him, these guys are expected to infiltrate the stronghold of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, especially the major towns in Edo North, the South and some local governments in the Central zone with high concentration of non natives where they can easily mingle with the people undetected. He said part of their grand plans is to cause make belief crises that could lead to fight and maybe shooting at polling centers to distract attention of security personnel. This, he said, may scare innocent voters, especially women and the vulnerable ones to flee the voting point. The entire scheme, he said, is to work towards cancellation of the election in these APC strongholds.
“We are ready to frustrate all these plans working with the security agencies in the state, because we are here not for APC or PDP but for peace, free, fair elections and development. Oshiomhole has developed Edo and we are to support him to succeed and handover to the person he believes can continue with the good work. We will give Wike the same support if he wants to go for second term because he is doing very well in Rivers”, Goddon concluded.
