Sometime last week, the media was awash with an alleged 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. Some persons, especially from the main opposition party, the people’s Democratic Party, PDP dismissed it as mere political propaganda aimed at weeping up sentiments. But this has turned out to be real as the man who is expected to be in the know as the chief security officer of the state, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole has cried out to the world that some unpatriotic elements are bent on distabilizing his state in the name of election.
Receiving the new Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 5, Mr Adeyinka kolawole Sodipo in his office, the governor who was apparently disturbed by the development told his host that “we have information about people from other neighbouring states under your zone who are planning to locate to Edo state for the purpose of the election. Some were deployed in the state to register during the continues registration exercise so that they can come and cause trouble on election day. We have a huge challenge in having to ensure that thugs are not imported from the neighbouring states to cause mayhem and discredit the election.”
Oshiomhole however concluded with a subtle plea: ” I believe that an enabling playing field can be achieved regardless of an individual or group that plots to undermine the process.” I must say that any true Edolite is bound to be worried by this develomoment, given the fact that those who are bent on causing this crisis already have their children in safe places outside the shores of Nigeria. They also have the means of jetting out unhurt when the bubble finally bursts. So, why would the children of the poor be made the canon fodder? They are the ones readily available for hire as thugs to lay down their lives during elections. And for how much? Just peanuts. Yet, human life is not quantifiable in monetary terms. Parents and those who believe they are available for hire to do dirty jobs for politicians must have a rethink as the elections are approaching.
According to the reports, the militants are expected to invade the state through the waterways in Ologbo, Ikpoba Okha Local Government and Agenebode in 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.
In a chance meeting, one of the leaders of the group and an indigen of Edo State who simply gave his name as J.C Goddon but better known as Rambo in the militant world 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 on good 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 revealed 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 forments trouble is arrested to face the full weight of the law.”
According to him, these guys are expected to infiltrate the stronghold of the rulling All Progressive Congress, APC, especially the major towns in Edo North, the South and some select 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 the security personel. 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 or to declare them inconclusive.
Goddon did not mince words in his determination to work with relevant security agencies in the state for a free, fair and credible polls come September 10.
Here him:
“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 ready 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”. For some of our colleagues-in-arms who are bent on being used to destabilise the forthcoming election in Edo State, I want to advise them to come along with their caskets because we are ready for them, either on land or on the sea.”
