EDO 2016: ODOBU SEEKS APC’S ACTION AGAINST BUYING OF PVSs
Dr. Pius Odubu, Edo State Deputy Governor and governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, has appealed to the leadership of the party to urgently step into the alleged buying of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) from delegates ahead of the June 18 governorship primary.
Odubu, who made the appeal while fielding questions from journalists in Benin on Tuesday, expressed worries over the development and regretted the alleged harassment and intimidation of delegates by supporters of some aspirants.
He, however, expressed confidence, that given the calibre of people saddled with the responsibility to conduct the primary, it would be free, fair and credible.
“That is not to say, however, that the processes leading to the primaries itself, is not giving us cause for concern.
“You are not unaware about the latest in town now, that some people have been moving from ward to ward, local government to local government, collecting people’s PVCs, for what purpose, I do not know.
“We are watching to see what they will do with it. We have also made known, our feelings on this to the appropriate quarters; we hope they will address this unfortunate happening right now,” he said.
Asked if he would accept the outcome of the primary should the party fail to address the issue before the primaries, he said, “I trust my party, they will address this issue of PVC accordingly.”
He noted that the issue of mass buying of PVC and other abnormalities concerning the coming governorship primary in the state had been chronicled and earlier made known to the national secretariat of the party by eleven of the twelve aspirants.
On how best to guarantee the security of delegates during and after the primaries, the deputy governor responded that those in charge of security would know how best to handle it.
“The Federal Government has the paraphernalia of providing security and I am sure our party, at the national level, is making adequate arrangements to ensure a hitch-free primary.
“That includes the provision of security around the venue and also to protect the delegates in and around the venue at that particular time.
“And of course, we do not expect the party to provide security to the delegates from their various homes to the venue, but as it concerns the venue, I am quite sure the party is making adequate arrangements to protect the delegates and their property, including the aspirants,” he stated.
On the rumour that the primaries would be held in a military base, Odubu simply said, “I am not the one in charge of the conduct of the primaries, so I do not know where the primaries will hold. But wherever it is going to be, we will be there with our delegates, by the Grace of God.”
He said the contest of the primaries is not between him and the alleged governor’s preferred candidate, but with other eleven aspirants.
“As for my boss and elder brother, the governor, as I have said before, he has never told me that he is supporting anybody and I have not seen it, where he said so publicly.
“So, as far as I am concerned, he is a father that is going to remain impartial and on that day and cast his vote for any aspirant of his choice. I will not want to dwell on the rumours.
“For me, my driving force is God. I believe that it is God that gives power and if it is my time for Him to give me power, He will. It is no man and whatsoever. I am looking up to him to favour us at the primaries and at the general election,” he stated.
His reaction to the sacking of political appointees that are alleged to be loyal to him by the governor, he said the governor is at liberty to relieve anybody of his appointment if he feels not satisfied with such a person’s performance.
“Mr. Governor is the boss, he has the dossier of every one of us, at every point in time, he has the privilege of accessing our performances and if he is not satisfied, he has the liberty and right to drop anybody at any particular point.
“I do not see reason why people should link sacking of political appointees to my ambition,” he added.
