By SIMON  EBEGBULEM

BENIN—Chairman of Edo State is in Safe Hands, a political group in Edo State, Mr. Washington Osifo, has said that youths of the state will resist any attempt by Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to distract Governor Adams Oshiomhole through what he described as “sponsored protests” against the results of the just concluded local government elections.

Meanwhile, following calls by PDP for the cancellation of last Saturday’s elections, Edo North Action Congress of Nigeria Youth leader, Mr. Roland Igbadumhe, has said that ACN’s victory at the polls was a reflection of the achievements of the Oshiomhole-led government in the state.

Addressing newsmen in Benin, Osifo said: “The people of Edo State should not be hoodwinked into the empty rhetoric of the Chief Dan Orbih-led PDP, because they have no ideas of what is referred to as a free and fair election.

“Edo people should ask Orbih, who is complaining about the conduct of the party congress that threw him up as PDP chairman.

“It is not an issue that materials for the conduct of the elections arrived late as that did not stop Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, EDSIEC from conducting a free and fair election.

“As people who are interested in the future of democracy in Edo State, we commend Oshiomhole for the enthronement of the principle of one-man one-vote.

“PDP lost the election because they were not prepared, therefore, they must stop protesting and disturbing the peace of the state.”