Edo election; Obaseki will end Oshiomhole's dominance in Edo, says Umar Sani

Former presidential aid, Umar Sani, said PDP will win the Edo election

INEC is conducting the governorship election in the state on Saturday, September 19

Sani noted that the election would be keenly contested between APC and the PDP

Less than twenty-four hours to the conduct of the Edo state governorship election, Umar Sani, a former special assistant on media and publicity to ex-Nigeria's vice president, Namadi Sambo, has predicted the outcome of the poll.

In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng, Sani said the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Obaseki, would be victorious at the poll if the federal might is not used to upturn the election in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, on Saturday, September 19.

Sani said though the two parties have had their fair share of governance in Edo state, the former governor of the state, Adams Oshiomhole, would try what he could to ensure APC carries the day.

He said: "The Edo state gubernatorial election is a new twist to its initial progression. Lucky Igbinedion having served for a two-term period of eight years handed over to Prof Osunbor who was edged out by the justice Ayo Salami appeal committee heralding the coming of the Adams Oshiomhole era. He started from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to All Progressive Congress (APC).

"It can therefore be deciphered that both the APC and the PDP have had their share of governance of Edo state. It goes without saying that it will be an affront to Oshiomhole to lose a state he once governed and chose a successor who has now not only left his party but has distanced himself from him as a pariah godfather."

The former presidential spokesman said the fierce contest between the key political actors in the election may lead to unprecedented violence of unimaginable proportion.

"With this scenario, I foresee a fierce contest capable of eliciting unprecedented violence of unimaginable proportion. I foresee a PDP victory except of course if the federal might is brought to bear on the transparency of the election exercise.

"Going for him is the incumbency factor, the support of neighboring states that are PDP states and the resolve of the Edo people to retain a government they view as performing," he said.

Speaking on how to prevent the likelihood of violence before, during and after the election, he called for the cooperation of the peace committee to ensure that sustainable peace is negotiated and agreed upon.

He said: "Both parties must be made to understand that the peace, progress and prosperity of Edo state is paramount. Critical stakeholders must also preach peace including religious or faith-based organizations.

"Security Agencies and INEC must maintain a high level of neutrality and transparency and thugs must shun all entreaties to perpetrate violence under any guise. This will definitely serve as a panacea for violence-free elections."