The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has denied reports of defection from its fold to other parties, describing the reports as fake news and mere propaganda.
The State Deputy Chairman, Hon Harrison Omagbon, who made this known in Benin on Thursday while reacting to the reports, urged members of the party to remain calm and not to panic or worry.
Accusing opposition parties in the state of peddling falsehood with a view to deceiving the people, Omagbon said the resort to fake news and propaganda was expected from the major opposition parties in the state since they do not have what it takes to engage in issue based conversation and campaign.
He said “All I have to say is that there’s no need for anybody to panic or worry because of what you read on social media. It is still very early in the day. Nobody should be worried because no one can tell the direction of the election now. People are not leaving PDP, it is the other way round. As we speak, in my own local government of Ovia South, people defected from the APC to PDP yesterday. All I know is that come rain, come shine, Edo is a PDP State and September will be the time to really establish that.
“You know they like to peddle fake news, engage in misinformation and propaganda. They don’t have what it takes to engage in an issue based conversation and campaign.
“PDP has the best candidate in Dr Asue Ighodalo. Just look at the caliber of people the PDP is parading and look at what other parties are bringing to the table, you can see that there is a big difference. They are no match for our candidates,” Omagbon asserted.
Giving an assurance that the party will win the coming election, Omagbon insisted that the party will play by the rules and will not join others in playing what he called ‘dirty and negative politics’.
“We are confident that we will win the election. We will not play dirty and negative politics involving campaign of calumny, propaganda or peddling of fake news. For us it will be an issue based campaign. Our candidate is for an open contest. He has the capacity, the competencies and above all, he is compassionate. Those who have interacted closely with him, marvel at his level of humility. He relates easily with everybody, no airs, no raising of shoulders and no disrespect to anyone. Dr Ighodalo is driven by his love for the people. He is concerned about their welfare and all he wants is the platform to positively impact the lives of the people for the better,” Omagbon stated.
There have been reports of people defecting from the party which have proven to be fake news and largely orchestrated by opposition parties in the state.
