Group condemns attack on Ize-Iyamu’s wife
A group has condemned the alleged attack on the convoy of the wife of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Idia Ize-Iyamu, calling on President Muhammadu Buhari to provide a level playing field for all political parties.
The group made the call on Thursday after a meeting to assess political developments in the state.
The convoy of Ize-Iyamu’s wife was reportedly attacked on Tuesday during a shop-to-shop campaign in a market in the Etsako Local Government Area.
She was, however, said to have escaped unhurt.
But the Director General of FUW, Mrs. Philomena Ihenhen, urged President Buhari to see the September 28 governorship election as a litmus test of the sincerity of his administration in ensuring a free, fair and credible poll.
“Although the wife of the candidate was unhurt, several women in her entourage sustained various injuries with one or two cars damaged. We condemn this attack and consider it an affront on the entire Edo womenfolk,” Ihenhen said.
She described voters in the state as enlightened residents who were ready to protect their votes.
She also said that the election was critical to the political development of the country, adding that Nigerians, in general, were watching to see its outcome.
Ihenhen added, “The Edo election is a litmus test of the sincerity of the Buhari administration.
“Let it be said for the deaf to hear that Edo people are ready to defend their mandate and will not allow a subversion or corruption of our collective will.”
While calling on security agencies to remain firm in their bid to stem rigging and violence during the election, she also urged them to provide protection for all citizens, no matter their political affiliation.
Ihenhen said, “We are all equal stakeholders in the Edo project, in spite of our political and ethic roots or leanings. We have a right under the law to be served and protected by the security agencies, especially the police.
“A situation where opposition PDP members are hounded, arrested and subsequently detained by security agents is unwholesome, callous and injurious to our polity.”
