Edo Guber Poll: NLC Chairman Threatens Fire and Brimstone …says Edo Will Burn if Ighodalo is Not Declared Winner

By Iyojo Ameh

Mr. Odion Olaye, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Edo State, has stirred controversy with his alarming remarks ahead of the September 21 gubernatorial election.

In a widely circulated video online, Olaye, while addressing supporters in Egor, Benin City, during a campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate, Asue Ighodalo, expressed confidence in the party’s victory.

However, his statement took a dramatic turn when he suggested that the state would descend into chaos if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to declare Ighodalo the winner.

“I want to assure you that PDP, our party, is going to win Egor with 80 percent of the votes come 21st of this month, and on the 22nd of this month, they must declare Asue Ighodalo the winner,” Olaye said in the video. “If they refuse to do that, Edo State will burn.”

Olaye’s comments come amid rising tensions and accusations between political parties ahead of the election.

The PDP recently alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was planning to manipulate the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) by using fake INEC staff disguised as technical personnel. This claim was made by the state PDP Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi.

In response, the Media Director of the APC Campaign Council, Prince Kassim Afegbua, dismissed the allegations, labeling them as baseless and an attempt to discredit the electoral process.

As election day approaches, the tension in Edo State continues to mount, with the potential for post-election unrest if disputes over the results arise. INEC has urged all political stakeholders to exercise restraint and ensure a peaceful electoral process.