PDP group vows to resist rigging •Esan group drums up support for Ize-Iyamu, Yakubu

Members of the Edo PDP Youths Vanguard, have warned those allegedly planning to rig the September 10  governorship election  to have a rethink, vowing to defend the people’s votes and mandate

The group, which constitutes youths of the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP), in a press statement signed by its secretary-general,  Andrew Umoru, said  God that made it possible for governors, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa and Nyesom Wike of Rivers states, will also do it for the Edo PDP.

The group urged all relevant stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, security agencies and the 19 political parties participating in the election to play by the rules in the interest of peace and democracy.

“Like the next governor of Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, had said, we love peace because war is very expensive. We are, however, not weak and those who plan to tamper with our mandate should get ready for the worst because we are ready to defend our votes and mandate.’’

Meanwhile, an Esan socio-cultural group, the Ikolo Esan, is rallying the Esan nation of the Edo Central senatorial district to reject the All Progressives Congress (APC) and vote for the PDP governorship candidate, Pastor Ize-Iyamu, in the September 10  governorship election.

The group said the call became  necessary because of what they described as the marginalisation of the Esan people.

At an interactive session in Benin city that was well attended by Esan sons and daughters within and outside the Edo State capital, participants agreed that the Esan nation had not fared well under the administration.