The Edo state government has reiterated that all political parties in the state must obey the regulations spelt out in a gazette aimed at curtailing the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) during the conduct of their primary elections.

Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu made the call on Tuesday when he hosted his Bayelsa State counterpart, Lawrence Ehwujakpo.

Ehwujakpo was in Edo State to observe the ward congresses of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Commending the PDP for following the guidelines in the gazette, Shaibu urged all other political parties to follow suit as the regulations will help in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 and keep Edo people safe.

He said:

“We got a letter from your party, the PDP, requesting to make use of the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium for its primary election. Governor Godwin Obaseki approved the request because the party obeyed the rules and regulations set by the Edo state government.

“I therefore use this opportunity to tell other political parties to obey the gazette in the state, which is now a law. Just as you have obeyed, we are asking and calling on other political parties to obey the law.

“Any political party that disobeys the law will not hold its primary election in the state as the gazette must be respected.

“The life of Edo people is more important than the political ambition of any politician or wishes of political parties. We need to be alive to play politics; we need to live to vote and be voted for in the election. The rules to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the gazette must be strictly followed to keep Edo people safe at this period.”