By Gabriel Enogholase
PEOPLES Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in the just concluded election, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has appealed to those aggrieved over the results as declared by the election management body to remain calm and be civil in their reaction.

In a state wide broadcast weekend, he said there was the need to maintain public peace in the face of dissatisfaction with INEC and its results and called on all to abhor violent protests at all costs.

In the broadcast, he said, “Though we have our doubts about the results as announced by the Independent  National  Electoral Commission, INEC, I appreciate your massive turn out which is unprecedented in the history of governorship elections in our state. You defied all fears and threats and turned out to vote the candidate of your choice.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu

“There is no doubt that the results declared by INEC give all of us cause for concern.  For example, the so-called winner of the elections was credited with less than 320, 000 votes while I who INEC claimed lost, was credited with less than 300, 000 votes. This is not true. The results expose the fraud orchestrated by INEC. The incident was nothing short of pre-arranged allocation of votes. That is why despite the so-called victory, we are all witnesses to the gloom and sadness that has enveloped the state ever since.

“More than the results of the elections, I thank God that no life was lost before and during the elections, despite all plans by certain political parties. This was our prayer to God that no life should be lost in the course of the elections.

“I appeal to all of us, Edo people, who feel dissatisfied not to take the laws into your hands or engage in violent demonstrations or destruction of public property. We still have many options. We can go to the elections tribunal. We can call a World Press Conference to let the world know what transpired or we can leave everything to God.

“No matter how you feel, please conduct yourselves in civilized manner because the will of God must prevail. If God says I, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, will be governor, no amount of rigging can stop it. So we must keep hope alive. Let us continue to hope and believe in our country. I thank you for the confidence you reposed in me and my running mate, Hon John Yakubu. I believe that democracy remains the best option for us as a people despite all its imperfections.”