By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN – THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State, yesterday, reacted to the allegation by Governor Adams Oshiomhole, that a section of the military was conniving with the leadership of the PDP in the state by harassing and intimidating Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, members with a view rigging weekend’s election.

The state chairman of the PDP, Chief Dan Orbih, who spoke in Benin City, yesterday, said the allegation was unfortunate “ since the PDP in Edo State is not the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces but is only trying to ensure that political thugs do not take over the state.”

Orbih who briefed newsmen, accused Governor Oshiomhole of inciting youths in the state, adding that the PDP was not surprised with the arrest of the 41 youths allegedly loyal to the ACN, “because the Governor had earlier called for jungle justice to be meted out on those who rig elections.”

It will be recalled that the military had during the postponed National Assembly election on Saturday, at Otuo, Owan East Local Government Area of the state, arrested 41 thugs, allegedly recruited be a chieftain of the ACN in Owan.

Orbih narrated, however, that “just,  yesterday, the Governor of Edo State made some spurious allegations, claiming that the PDP used a ragtag army of thugs to arrest 41 ACN candidates in Owan.

“I want to state clearly that the allegation is baseless, unfounded and we are very disappointed that the Governor can make such a statement.

“I want to say clearly that the Nigerian Army is not ragtag and Edo PDP is not colluding in any way with the Army to undermine the electoral process,” he added.