Illiya Damagum, acting national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said members of the party will use their blood to  defend their votes in the September 21 governorship election in Edo State.

This is even as he warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against midnight announcement of the election results.

Damagum gave the warnings during the grand finale of the PDP campaign in Edo. He also presented the party’s flag to the governorship candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo.

“To INEC, I we don’t want that midnight results announcement. We will be vigilant and make sure that it doesn’t happen.”

“And, we know they will rig the election, this is not a threat, but we are very serious and we will defend our votes with our blood and everything.

“To the citizens of this country, please watch the election of Edo, it will be a test for our democracy. If they miss it here, it means they are looking for anarchy. We know they will attempt to do so, but we will resist them.”

He, however, called on the party and its supporters to go out en masse to vote for the PDP and also defend their votes.

On his part, the Chairman, PDP National Campaign Council, and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, warned against compromising the electoral process.

“We cannot be intimidated. We will tell them we know how to win election. No body will rig us out. Edo is the cradle of civilization and intellectual in Nigeria, you must not settle for anything less. So, vote for Ighodalo,” he said.

On his part, Ighodalo said Obaseki has laid the foundation for the development of the state and would continue from where he stopped.

Also, the 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, noted that in the coming election, Edo will still not be Lagos just like in 2016.

“So come out to vote, protect and defend your votes, escort your votes and make sure they are announced and if you do that, no body can change your votes and PDP will win come September 21.”

Dignitaries at the event include PDP governors, Senator Aba Moro, Chief Tom Ikimi, members of BOT, members of the State House of Assembly, House Representatives, among others.

Godwin Obaseki, governor of Edo, has declared the upcoming governorship election in the state “a do-or-die affair”.

The Edo state off-cycle gubernatorial election is slated to be held on September 21.

Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) are the main contenders in the election.

Speaking at the PDP grand finale rally in the Ekenwan area of Benin City, the state capital, Obaseki berated Adams Oshiomhole, his predecessor, for performing below par during his tenure.

“The person I took over from had no respect for our people, had no respect for women, encouraged prostitution and women’s trafficking,” Obaseki said.

“When I took over office, our pensioners wore black on Labor Day, but today they wear white.

“When I took office, our youths had no jobs, but today don’t they have jobs? After eight years, is Edo not one of the safest in Nigeria?

“This election is do or die; if they do, we will die. Next week Saturday by this time, vote for the PDP to become the next governor.”

On Thursday, political parties and their candidates in Edo signed the peace accord to allow for a free and fair election in the state, although the PDP declined to sign the agreement.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, says he never declared that he would accept to be a vice-presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

Obi spoke in an interview with News Central Television on Wednesday.

The former governor of Anambra was quoted by some reports as saying he would consider a vice-presidential role if he found a candidate who could perform better than him.

Reacting to the claim in a post on his X page on Saturday, Obi alleged that “some fifth columnists resorted to propaganda, deliberately distorting the narrative.”

The former Anambra governor said he was surprised by the misrepresentation of his statement, adding that he is not desperate to be president, but determined to make Nigeria work.

“I have been inundated with calls and concerns regarding the interview I granted to News Central TV,” Obi said.

“In that interview, I took the opportunity it provided to explain my position in detail.

“However, some fifth columnists have resorted to propaganda, deliberately distorting the narrative.

“Let me reiterate clearly what I said, which is on record: I do not want to be one of those preoccupied with 2027 while Nigerians are suffering from hunger, poverty, insecurity, and other pressing challenges.

“When I was asked about collaboration, I explicitly stated my openness to working with others, provided their intentions were not centred on state capture.

“I emphasized my commitment to partnering with those who share my vision for advancing Nigeria’s progress.

“I also made it clear that I remain committed to the Labour Party, and if anyone wishes to negotiate or join forces, they must disclose their true intentions. As I have always maintained, I am not desperate to become president, but I am determined to see Nigeria work.

“Likewise, I am not desperate for any position at all as I believe I can make contributions as I am already doing without occupying any. When 2027 arrives, if I decide to run for any office, it will not be with those whose sole aim is state capture or merely winning an election.

“I want them to explain how we will ensure that no child is left behind and how we will bring millions of out-of-school children back into classrooms, ensure healthy living and pull people out of poverty.

“My statement was unequivocal, and I am genuinely surprised by the misrepresentation of my words.