• Tinubu Urges Parties, Supporters To Respect Democratic Process
• IGP Restricts Movement, Releases Hotlines
• Cleric Tasks INEC On Credible Poll, As CDD Deploys Observers
• Akpata Debunks Withdrawal Rumour
There is anxiety in Edo State as voters cast their ballots today to elect the next governor of the state from among the 17 candidates contesting for the exalted seat. Over two million registered voters are expected to vote in the governorship election in the 192 polling wards of the 18 local councils of the state.
The election will be decided between the trio of Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata.
Others are Tom Iseghohi of the Action Alliance; Azena Azemhe of the NNPP; Osifo Isaiah of APGA; Ugoigbe Sylvester, APM; Arelogbe Osalumese, APP; Kingston Afere ADP; Udo David, AAC and Akhalamhe Aniemenoghena of ZLP.
Also running are Aner Alui of ADP; Paul Ovbokhan of YPP; Patience Ndidi of PRP; Osarenren Izedommwen of ADC and Osirame Edeipo of Boot Party. Already 35,000 police officers with military, Civil Defence, Navy, EFCC and other special security officials have been deployed for a hitch free exercise.
But there are still concerns over palpable violence following the refusal of some of the contesting parties to sign the Peace Accord and the unguarded utterances of some prominent supporters of the candidates.
Some residents of Benin City, the state capital, were in panic mode on Friday even as many of them were still undecided on whether to come out to cast their votes or not over fears of violence.
A resident, Omorodion Emmanuel, told The Guardian: “Politicians can take any risk, even kill just to get what they want. So, I am afraid of coming out of my house. I am the only son of my parents’ the atmosphere is frightening.”
Another resident, Mrs. Cordilia Akugbe said: “Certainly there will be voter apathy because of the threat that this election is a do or die affair.” The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which confirmed that no fewer than 2.2 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) had been collected for the governorship election, began the distribution of sensitive materials from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on Thursday.
To ensure that residents participate fully in the election, the state government had declared Friday a public holiday to enable eligible voters travel to their registered polling units to exercise their franchise.
But tension has been rising in the state since Friday following alleged movement of strange persons and vehicles in the state. Several Armoured Personnel Careers were also seen stationed at the residences of prominent political leaders in the state.
On Friday, an alleged attempt by suspected political thugs to overrun the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) offices in some local councils of the state Edo State was resisted by soldiers.
The state government, which raised the alarm, commended the military for stopping the suspected political thugs. Addressing newsmen in Benin, Edo State Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, said that it took soldiers to resist the political thugs that had taken over INEC offices in Oredo, Estako West and Esan West Local Government Councils in a bid to hijack the process.
While security officials were contending with emerging violence and thuggery, news had filtered out that the LP candidate in the election, Olumide Akpata, had withdrawn from the election.
Akpata, who addressed a late press conference in his campaign office denied stepping down from the governorship race, saying that those peddling the rumour of his stepping down are “professional politicians trying to hoodwink Edo people. “
Akpata noted that the rumour was to distract his supporters, calling on LP supporters to come out en masse to participate in the governorship election.
“I have been inundated with a flood of calls and messages from friends and supporters which constrains me to release this statement to dispel the wicked rumour circulating that I have stepped down and support the PDP candidate in tomorrow’s governorship election.
“This falsehood is illustrative of the evil machinations of those who have held our state captive for a quarter of a century and demonstrates the shallowness that has characterised their governance style.
“Let it be unequivocally clear that I am still in this race. The notion that I stepped down on the eve of the election, after the overwhelming support received from the good people of our state, borders on delusion,” Akpata said.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Friday urged all stakeholders in the governorship election today to conduct themselves with decorum and democratic ethos during the exercise.
President Tinubu who stated that democracy thrives on civility, tolerance, patience and respect for the rules of the game, also implored the governorship candidates, political parties and supporters to respect the democratic process and the people’s will, expressing confidence in voters’ ability to make informed decisions about their future leaders. He noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has committed to conducting a free and fair election and urged stakeholders to work together to ensure a peaceful process.
The President commended the governorship candidates and political parties for their campaigns, which, he said, focused on issues that matter most to the people of Edo State, including improving livelihoods, promoting economic growth and contributing to national development .
Tinubu in a statement issued by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, urged all citizens in the state to remain peaceful and respectful throughout the voting process, just as he encouraged them to resolve any disagreements amicably through the constituted authorities.
President Tinubu further expressed unwavering confidence in the professionalism and integrity of security agencies and INEC officials, urging them to remain impartial and avoid any actions that could compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered the restriction of movement as a result of the governorship election. The police boss also announced comprehensive security measures to ensure a peaceful, transparent and credible electoral process during the election. The IGP ordered the restriction of all vehicular movement on roads, waterways and other forms of transportation within Edo State from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday.
According to police spokesman, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, exceptions would be made for essential services, including accredited media, electoral officials, ambulances and emergency responders.
The statement added: “To maintain the integrity of the electoral process, the IGP has implemented a ban on all security aides and escorts accompanying VIPs to polling booths and collation centres.
“Unauthorised security personnel and quasi-security outfits are prohibited from operating during the election, and the use of sirens by unauthorised vehicles is strictly forbidden to ensure a calm environment for voters.
“Furthermore, the IGP has mandated that special attention be afforded to individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, nursing mothers, the aged and those with mobility challenges, ensuring that polling stations in both urban and rural settings are accessible to all.
“The Inspector-General of Police, through the Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) for Edo Gubernatorial Election, DIG Frank Emeka Mba, has appealed to citizens to refrain from making prank calls to control room and designated help numbers, highlighting that text messages are more effective for operational purposes.
“The designated election lines for inquiries and reporting are: DIG Election, DIG Frank Mba, 07025000383 and AIG Election, AIG Benneth Igwe, 09085000029, while the general control room numbers are 08077773721 and 08037646272. The already activated joint control room is manned by police and relevant agencies engaged in the electoral process.”
Adejobi noted that citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activities or incidents that may jeopardise the integrity of the electoral process or cause disorderliness in any part of the state.
“The Inspector-General of Police underscores the necessity of adhering to these directives to avert any undue interference and intimidation during the election.
“Political parties, candidates and their supporters are urged to conduct themselves responsibly and in compliance with electoral laws, as any violations or attempts to disrupt the electoral process will be met with the full extent of the law.
“The IGP reaffirms the dedication of the Nigeria Police Force to promoting a safe and democratic environment. Through collaborative efforts, we can guarantee that the forthcoming elections in Edo, specifically and the future, are held fairly and peacefully,” he said.
Relatedly, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa), has disclosed that it deployed 70 accredited, trained and non-partisan observers to closely follow and report on key Election Day processes.
In a statement signed by its Director, Dr. Dauda Garuba, the Centre noted that intra and inter-party rivalries, heightened political tension, charged rhetoric and the claims and counter-claims of the various partisan camps were major features that defined the pre-election environment.
The deployment, he said, includes the Soldiers of Mouth, a group of trained disinformation monitors, who will help CDD Election Analysis Centre (EAC) observe and document on and offline misinformation trending before, during and after Election Day.
According to Garuba, the CDD-EAC will be led by renowned political scientist and electoral reform advocate, Prof. Adele Jinadu. “He will be supported by other election subject matter experts, while the Centre’s staff will serve as data clerks to relay information from observers in the field to the analysts and technical drafting group.
“In this pre-election statement, what follows is a summary of key findings in the pre-election period and major trends, which will shape the conduct and outcome of this off-cycle governorship election. The EAC will publish its final report on the conduct and outcome of the elections on the CDD website after voting at the weekend,” Dauda said.
On his part, the Leader of Heal Our Land Oh Lord – a global prayer initiative, Apostle Alfred Odion Uyinosa, has urged the INEC to live up to expectation by conducting a free, fair and transparent election.
Uyinosa, who gave the advice in a statement on Friday, also implored the Inspector General of Police and other security personnel to maintain law and order during the poll. He said: “The coming Saturday’s election that will produce the next governor of Edo State must be free and fair. As we approach the day, we urge all concerned citizens of the state, INEC, IGP, political parties and other stakeholders to exercise their respective constitutional roles in promoting sustainable good governance.
“Even in the midst of all rhetoric, we have seen a measure of issue-based campaigns towards the election. No matter how we look at it, elections in Nigeria seem to be war; this also puts the burden on us to control and manage the process to be free of chaos and bloodshed.”
He enjoined all residents of the state, irrespective of party affiliation, religion and other differences to develop the spirit of sportsmanship, noting that diverse affiliations are some of the factors driving desperation in Nigeria’s politics.
Meanwhile, the Civil Society Situation Room on the Edo governorship election has called for timely opening of polling units, efficient logistics, security and effective mobilisation of electoral officers to make for smooth conduct of the election.