Alexander Okere, Benin
A group, Forum of Uncommon Women, 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.
