State of the Nation: Secondus commends Obasanjo, Elders; Berates Presidency; Says free, fair election in Edo not negotiable

The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus has commended former President Olusegun Obasanjo and some Nigerian Elders “for standing up to save the country at its worst time in history.”

Speaking against the backdrop of the National dialogue convened by the former President to address the deteriorating state of the Nation, Prince Secondus said that the situation in the country calls for patriotic men and women to stand up to be counted.

Prince Secondus berated the Presidency and others playing to the gallery who instead of embracing words of wisdom from patriotic elders chose to attack what is real and overwhelming to all.

He commended Chief Obasanjo for always exhibiting exceptional patriotism whenever the challenge in the country overwhelms as it is in the country today.

Prince Secondus then charged President Muhammadu Buhari and his ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to dispose themselves to absorbing the words of wisdom and stop grandstanding even as the nation under their watch is going down. He also warned the Presidency against abusing and disrespecting nationalists who fought for the unity of the country.

The PDP National Chairman admonished the President to save the country from getting progressively worse by conducting free, fair and credible election in Edo state on September 19, 2020.

Prince Secondus, speaking also against the backdrop of the low mood in the country as a result of the multiplicity of taxation, tariffs and security challenges amid biting economic hardship, warned that it would amount to pouring salt into an open wound to deny the people the right to chose who should govern them.

According to Prince Secondus in a statement from his media office, the sour mood among citizens in the country today calls for a sensitive government to avoid anything that will aggravate and inflame already frayed nerves.

“Democracy thrives well under rule of law and this is all the people of Edo state are asking for, to let their will prevail on September 19, 2020.

“To deploy military and other security agencies to do election duties outside the one statutorily assigned to them as was witnessed in 2019 general election and the gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa and Kogi state clearly undermines democracy,” he stressed.

The National Chairman said that the needless tension in Edo is being orchestrated by the APC, to establish a basis to invite the security agencies to intervene unduly in the electoral process.

“We saw and witnessed the gimmick in Osun, Bayelsa and Kano states where security operatives were used to disrupt polls at PDP strong areas leading to cancellation and the so called inconclusive elections.

He said that this regime having failed woefully in all ramifications would be digging the hole they are inside by not conducting free, fair and credible elections on September 19.

The National Chairman warned all those to be involved directly or indirectly in the election particularly Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials to be mindful of the consequences of their actions.

Prince Secondus also had a word of caution for both INEC and security operatives, with the saying of a Turkish playwright, Mehmet Murat Idam, “If your government keeps making big mistakes and in return you keep supporting your government, then you are the biggest mistake for your country,! Do not confuse government with country. Loyalty to government is not patriotism, patriotism is loyalty to country.”

“INEC and security officials to be involved in this Edo election should know that the country is approaching a precipice at the moment and they should try not to be found on the wrong side of history by contributing negatively to the nation’s challenges,” he warned.

The PDP boss urged the global democracy community to be mindful of what happens in Nigeria especially the forthcoming Edo state elections.

Prince Secondus also charged Edo people, particularly PDP members and supporters, to be ready to make necessary sacrifices by not only voting but defending their votes.