…Cast Your Votes And Return Home, Police Tell Residents
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to remain neutral in the discharge of their responsibilities during Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state.
Jonathan said INEC and security agencies have a “moral burden” to act as “independent arbiters” during the election.
In a statement via X on Friday, the former president said “democracy loses its value when citizens cannot exercise their political choices in a free and fair atmosphere”.
Jonathan appealed to all political stakeholders to “work towards deepening the nation’s democracy by prioritising peace and security of the state”.
“In the interest of peace and the integrity of our electoral process, I urge the electoral management body and security agencies to be professional and neutral in discharging their responsibilities,” he said.
“The Edo election scheduled for this weekend places a moral burden on state agencies, especially the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to rise to their constitutional responsibilities as independent arbiters in our democratic process.
“Security agencies must conduct themselves in optimal neutrality and desist from actions that could alter the setting for a level-playing field and compromise the credibility of the electoral process.
“On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must live up to expectations as an unbiased umpire and inspire confidence in all actors through a transparent voting process.
“There is no doubt that loss of confidence in an electoral process encourages political disputes, social unrest, voter apathy, increased polarization, and other far-reaching consequences that could undermine development and democratic consolidation.
“For democracy to endure, our leadership recruitment process must be devoid of all forms of manipulation, and state institutions have the obligation to guarantee peaceful, credible, and transparent elections.
“That way, citizens will be able to elect leaders of their choice who they will entrust with the legitimacy to deliver good governance, peace, and prosperity.”
On Saturday, residents in Edo will go to the polls to elect who succeeds Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, who is finishing his two-term term of eight years.
Although 17 political parties are participating in the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) are the major contenders.
Cast Your Votes And Return
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Police Force has advised voters to return home after casting their ballots.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, Frank Mba, who was a guest on the special edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday for the Edo election, said that only those accredited to move around would be allowed to do so.
“Tomorrow it is important for parents and for everybody to know that if you are not accredited to carry out any of the functions related to the election, you should not be out on the street. Just come, go out there, perform your civic duties, cast your vote and return to your home,” DIG Mba said.
In terms of preparation for the election on the part of the police, DIG Mba said that the police have put everything in place for a smooth election in Edo State tomorrow.
“I will say all is set, we have done our deployments, and we have taken care of all our concerns. We have made provisions for tomorrow, we have taken care of INEC headquarters, the RAC centres and anticipated operations for tomorrow, and so we are good to go.”
Vote buyers to be dealt with
On tackling vote buying, the DIG acknowledged that vote buying is one of the most difficult offences to manage, but promised to deal with offenders.
“Vote buying is one of the most difficult offences to actually police and manage and I am saying this with every sense of honesty,” DIG Mba said.
“The reason is simple, the bulk of vote buying and selling that takes place don’t take place in the glare of the public, in the glare of the media, in the glare of the law enforcement agents. Sometimes, they take place in the bedrooms of citizens and we don’t have the capacity to police every bedroom, every kitchen, every toilet and every balcony.
“But our pledge is that the ones that happen in the glare of the public, the ones our security network are able to detect and intercept, we will deal with them.”
The people of Edo State will go all out to vote for a new governor in the off-cycle election tomorrow.
There are 17 candidates jostling for the exalted seat at the Dennis Osadebay House in Benin City, Edo State.
IGP orders restriction of movement
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun directed the restriction of movement in Edo ahead of the poll in the state.
To maintain the integrity of the electoral process, the IGP has also placed a ban on all security aides and escorts accompanying VIPs to polling booths and collation centres.
Unauthorised security personnel and quasi-security outfits have also been prohibited from operating during the election, likewise, the use of sirens by unauthorised vehicles has been strictly forbidden to ensure a calm environment for voters.
A statement by the force’s Public Relations Officer Olumiyiwa Adejobi said the IGP has ordered the restriction of all vehicular movement on roads, waterways, and other forms of transportation from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on election day.
The Friday statement, however, said exceptions will be made for essential services, including accredited media, electoral officials, ambulances, and emergency responders.
