Edo 2016: Investigate PVC scam in Edo — Odobu urges APC

AGENE GODWIN, Benin
Governorship aspirant in the June 18 Governorship Primary of the Edo State All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Pius Odubu, has appealed to the leadership of the party to urgently step into the allegations of buying of Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVC) made by delegates.
Odubu who is the incumbent Deputy Governor of the state, made this appeal while fielding questions from journalists in Benin on Tuesday.
The deputy governor, who expressed worry over this development, also regrets the harassment and intimidation of delegates by this aspirant.
He however expressed confident, that given the reputation of people saddled with the responsibility to conduct the primaries, it will be free, fair and credible.
“That is not to say however, that the processes leading to the primaries itself, is not given us course 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 PVC, 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 will accept the outcome of the primaries should the party failed to address the issue before the primaries, he answered saying, “I trust my party, they will address this issue of PVC accordingly.”
He noted that the issue of mass buying of PVC and other abnormally corning the coming primaries in the state have 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 he those in charge of security will know how best to handle that.
“The federal government have paraphernalia of providing security am sure our party, at the national level, are making adequate arrangement to ensure a hitch free primaries.
“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 arrangement to protect the delegates and their properties, including us the aspirants.
On the rumour that the primaries will 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, like 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 am concern, 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 duel on the rumours.
“For me, my driving force is God. I believe that it is God that gives power and if 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.
His reaction to the sacking of political appointee 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 feel not satisfied with such 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.