The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has condemned the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2027 reelection by the State Governor Monday, Okpebholo, saying that it violated section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022.
DAILY POST reports that the party made the condemnation in a statement signed and made available to newsmen on Friday in Benin City by Chris Nehikhare, Publicity Secretary, Edo PDP, Caretaker Committee.
Nehikhare opined that the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 150 days before election day and end 24 hours before the day of the poll.
“We read with concern and disappointment the reckless statement by Senator Monday Okpebholo, where he declared to have “kick-started”; the campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, in his continuous scheming to hoodwink the President and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“We want to unequivocally state that his comments and actions are in direct contravention of Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, which explicitly states that, “The period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 150 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.
“It is troubling and deeply embarrassing that Okpebholo, who should be a custodian of the rule of law, is kicking off campaigns nearly two years ahead of the legally allowed period. This is not only illegal but also sets a dangerous precedent for abuse of power and disrespect for our Constitution and constitutional democracy.
“Okpebholo's continuous resort to subterfuge is nothing more than a smokescreen to ingratiate himself with the presidency, while attempting to distract from his failures in government, his loss of control over the political space, and the growing rejection he faces among the people of the State.
“We sincerely hope President Tinubu will not fall for these deceitful gimmicks and baseless assurances. If the President hopes to win Edo State in 2027, he cannot rely on Okpebholo and the Edo APC leadership, as they lack the capacity to deliver Edo to him”, he said.
The party, however, called on the relevant authorities, especially those tasked with upholding the nation's constitution and the rule of law to take note of this gross violation and invoke the appropriate sanctions as enshrined in our Constitution.
It insisted that no individual, no matter how highly placed, should be allowed to trample on the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and go scot-free.
