The leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, in Edo State, weekend, vowed that it would match force with force in the event that Action Congress, AC, decides to use government machinery to rig the re-run Etsako Central Local Government election scheduled for 23rd January 2010.

 The leaders, who spoke one after the other at the flag-off of campaign for the election  reviewed the over one year administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole and declared that it had increased the poverty in the land.

 The leaders at the rally included the former chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, state chairman of the party, Chief Dan Orbeh, immediate past governor of the state, Professor Osarhiemen Osunbor, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Zakawanu Garuba, Paschal Ugbome, senators Tisa Braimoh and Odion Ugbesia, former deputy governor, Chief Mike Oghiadohme, Mr Kenneth Imasuagbon, Henry Idahagbon and others.

 Addressing party supporters at the rally, Professor Osunbor recalled that in spite of the fact that the PDP preached against violence during Akoko Edo re-run election, Action Congress (AC) went ahead to use thugs to allegedly rig the election.

 He said: “Last year, we went to Akoko Edo to campaign, everywhere we went, we preached peace, that there must be no violence, that we wanted the election to be conducted in a peaceful manner and that the people should be allowed to vote.

When we campaigned, we went home but surprisingly, we were taken unawares with the avalanche of ammunitions that were poured into Akoko Edo. 

 Do not allow that to happen in this place. You should chase them away in Etsako Central. “What we want is that the vote of the people of Etsako Central must be respected”.

It is not a case where you say one thing and you do a completely different thing.

 We want the proper thing to be done and by the grace of God, PDP will win.