LAGOS — One day into the Edo State governorship election, the three major political parties — Labour Party, LP; Peoples Democratic Party, PDP; and All Progressives Congress, APC, the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, and former President Goodluck Jonathan have tasked the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and security agencies on credible balloting.
The call came as fears of violence marring the election heightened yesterday, with suspected thugs clashing as INEC distributed sensitive election materials.
Also, protesting youths and women besieged the Palace of the Okumagbe of Uwanno Kingdom in Estako Local Government Area of Edo State, demanding the immediate release of PDP leaders arrested across the council area by the Police, yesterday.
Indeed, Yiaga Africa expressed fears that there could be violence in eight LGAs it said could be characterized by high stakes, potential violence and logistical challenges.
The group identified the local government areas as Ikpoba/Okha, Oredo, Egor, Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, Esan South-East, Etsako West and Etsako East.
This came as Police Service Commission, PSC,personnel arrived Edo, read riot act to police personnel and released phone numbers though which erring police officers should be reported.
Having concluded their campaigns, the PDP, APC and LP were upbeat about their chances of winning tomorrow’s election and succeeding Governor Godwin Obaseki.
We expect security agencies, INEC to be neutral – LP
Edo State chairman of LP, Kelly Ogbaloi, told Vanguard: “The first expectation I have is that the Labour Party wins the election on Saturday, given all that we have done and further more, is that the law enforcement agencies have been given basic instructions to ensure we have free and fair elections and that is what I expect to see.
“I also expect that operations of the security will lead to a free election and make the result of the voters count at the end of the day.
“For the voters, we expect them to behave and conduct themselves properly, unless in situation where you are trying to derail their mindset by trying to indoctrinate them, wrongly, trying to pervert them by way of inducement. We expect that every voter must have conducted his or herself properly.”
To the electoral umpire, Ogbaloi said: “We have been told that all material issues of INEC will work optimally and all that was promised in the last stakeholders’ meeting that was held in Benin. So we expect that INEC would, as a matter of fact, do as promised, not as in previous times.
‘’They have spoken that all their machineries, the IREV, the portal, the BVAS, will absolutely work as required. That is our expectation.”
Police must up their game —PDP
The chairman of the PDP, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, said he was impressed with the way INEC released materials yesterday morning but cautioned the police to ensure a credible process.
His words: “I think INEC was on top of its game today (yesterday). I was at CBN at about 8:15 am, I met the Resident Electoral Commissioner, the National Commissioner supervising Edo State, and other national commissioners there.
‘’So on that, they did a fantastic job. CBN on its own too opened its doors. The signing of the forms ECE B and C went smoothly, despite the rain. We think that is what the national chairman promised us and they did it, we think that should be applauded.
“When I was granting an interview at the CBN premises, I told the police, to make sure these materials get to the various destinations. We are hearing that the materials got to Oredo and hoodlums attacked.
‘’So we think the police dropped the ball there, and this is where I think the police would have to up their game in this exercise.”
For election day, he said: “Everybody is excited. They want to come and vote for my candidate. Everybody will be at the polling unit by 7:30 to vote so that by two o’clock, we already know the winner.
“From what INEC has done, except something catastrophic happens, they seem to know what they are doing. So we will encourage them to just stick to the rules, to the articles of the Electoral Act, do what they did today down the line to the unit level and make sure materials get to the polling units as early as 7:30 am and allow Edo people to decide who becomes their governor.
‘’That has always been our wish and say consistently that we want Edo people to decide who will be their next governor.
‘’It is only Edo people that know what is good for them. The police should up their game and not drop the ball on Saturday. In all, we are confident of victory.”
Arrest suspects implicated in death of police officer – APC
On his part, the APC chairman, Jarret Tenebe, asked the police to arrest suspects mentioned in the killing of a police inspector, alleging that some of them were still moving around freely and planning to cause crisis on election day.
He told Vanguard: “We are expecting nothing less than a credible election. We expect INEC and the police to do the right thing because we want a free and fair election, a situation of one man, one vote, which was popularized by our leader, Senator Adams Oshiomhole when he was the governor of this state. That is the kind of situation we expect in Edo State on Saturday (tomorrow).
“We appeal to the police to do the right thing and fish out the criminal elements, especially those who killed policeman and some of them are still threatening to commit more havoc against the people on the day of election.
“We have said we are not ready for trouble but if they bring trouble, we don’t have a problem with that. We have campaigned across the nooks and crannies of the state. If the process is free and credible, we will win and we are hoping for that victory.”
We fear outbreak of violence in 8 LGAs – Yiaga Africa
Prominent election monitoring group, Yiaga Africa, expressed fears that there could be violence in eight LGAs especially as the election would be conducted in a climate of “economic hardship, security volatility and distrust in state institutions and electoral process.”
Addressing journalists at its Pre-election press conference, Yiaga Africa’s chair of the Edo 2024 Election Mission, Dr Aisha Abdulahi, also raised concerns about voters’ inducement and vote buying, which she said were going on in different forms in various parts of the state by most of the political parties.
She said: “Yiaga Africa notes the tense and volatile political climate for the election. The campaign period was signposted with strong arm tactics and violence. The activities of cult groups and political thugs intensified amid the proliferation of small and light arms. Yiaga Africa is concerned that politicians will tactically employ violence and intimidation to suppress voters in specific polling units and LGAs.
“Additionally, armed groups and political thugs may disrupt INEC’s deployment of election materials or elections at the polling units to influence the outcome of the election. Yiaga Africa has identified eight (8) LGAs as hotspots for violence. They include, Ikpoba/Okha, Oredo, Egor, Ovia South West,Ovia North East, Esan South East, Etsako West and Etsako East. The volatile security environment in these LGAs necessitates a strategic and neutral deployment of security forces.”
On vote-buying he said: “Yiaga Africa observed multiple instances of voter inducement during the Pre-election campaign period in Edo State. Political parties and politicians continue to distribute cash, gifts and food items to entice voters.
“These practices of voter inducement undermine the integrity of the electoral process, as they can distort the free will of the electorate and compromise the democratic principle of free and fair election. Yiaga Africa is concerned that this practice may extend to election day, turning the polling units to the epicentre of vote buying.”
CAN prays for peaceful polling
In a related development, Edo State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, has offered a prayer for the smooth conduct of the election, with a charge to voters to vote for the most credible candidate of their choice.
In his welcome address, the Chairman CAN, Apostle Irepkono Omoike, said the prayer intercessory session has become important, against the backdrop of the threats arising from political parties’ campaigns.
He said Edo State had been known to be peaceful and that the prayer session was to intercede so that a credible candidate with the fear of God, who would love the people, respect constituted authorities and hold on to the tenet of integrity, which had remained the benchmarks of sustainable governance in the state right from Midwest, Bendel and now Edo State, would emerge.
The prayer session had in attendance all the Christian denominations in Benin City.
Edo Concern Citizens Worldwide sue for peace
Group of Edo people in the Diaspora known as Edo Concerns Citizens Worldwide also called for neutrality on the part of all actors on the day of election and the need for them by the rules.
They observed that some leaders of the APC including President Bola Tinubu while receiving the APC governorship candidate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Adams Oshiomhole made comments that could compromise the election.
A statement by Mr. Larry Irabor and Mr. Jimoh Eronmwon on behalf of the group said: “By this notice, we are calling on relevant stakeholders, including the United Nations, UN, the African Union, AU, Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, the United States, US, United Kingdom, UK, European Union, EU, and others that are conscious of the vital need for people-driven, true democracy, as enshrined as global democratic best practise, to rise up to the occasion. They should watch out and ensure that all structured instruments, including necessary arrangements already laid out for a free and fair election are strictly and duly activated in line with extant electoral acts, preparatory to the election.
“They should prevail on the President, others, not to brow beat, manipulate or arm twist the electoral umpire, the INEC, into conducting an election that does not reflect the will of the people.”
PSC monitors arrive Benin, warn police personnel
Police Service Commission, PSC, personnel started arriving the state, yesterday. They are to monitor the conduct of police officers during the election and warned that any officer found wanting in the performance if his assigned duty will face disciplinary measures.
A statement by its Spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, said the mission’s team will be led by DIG Taiwo Lakanu, retd, Commissioner in the Commission and other high ranking staff.
“The monitors will operate from the three senatorial districts and hold the police accountable for their actions or inactions before, during and after the election.
“Police Officers on electoral duties are expected to be neutral and ensure that both the voters and the voting materials are protected and secured.
“The officers are also expected to ensure that voting is peaceful and orderly and that voters are given unfettered access to discharge their civic responsibility.
The leader of Delegation, DIG Lakanu has charged the Police Officers on election duties to be civil, smart but strict in enforcing the electoral laws.
He said as lead Agency in internal security, which includes security of election, the Police in Edo elections should exhibit strong leadership qualities expected of them.
DIG Lakanu said the Commission will discipline any police officer who fails to conduct himself in a manner deserving of his office, adding that the success or failure of the election depends on the effectiveness of police officers on duty.
In the same vein, the Commission released dedicated telephone numbers for Nigerians to reach the Commission’s situation Room in Benin to present their complaints or commendation on the conduct of police officers during the election.
The numbers are: State Coordinator – 08064696711; 08185241907; 07038231615
Edo South – 08035909482; 08052084461
Edo Central- 08033145592; 08037879854
Edo North- 08055480701; 08083283429
Media Coordinator – 08033345362
INEC begins distribution of materials
INEC, yesterday morning, began the distribution of sensitive materials for election to the 18 local government areas of the state from the premises of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on Akpakpava junction, Ring Road, Benin.
The development created a gridlock in the area as traffic was only opened to one lane in the ever-busy road. The area was closed to commercial activities.
The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Onuoha Anugbum, supervised distribution of the materials.
Protest rocks Okumagbe’s Palace over arrests
Angry protesters, yesterday, besieged the Palace of the Okumagbe of Uwanno Kingdom in Etsako Local Government Area of Edo State, demanding the immediate release of PDP leaders who were arrested across the council area, yesterday.
Some angry youths and women stormed the Okumagbe’s palace with various placards chanting freedom songs.
They issued a 12-hour ultimatum to the Police to release their leaders, and threatened to take laws into their hands if the arrested PDP leaders were not released.
The protesters warned against further arrests vowing to defend their community leaders from harassment.
Attoh, Etsako LG boss decries Police molestation
Also, the Chairman of Etsako LGA, Princess Benedicta Attoh, condemned the arrests, and called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff and other security agencies to abide by their promises of remaining neutral in the Edo governorship election.
Attoh, in a statement by her Chief Press Secretary, Benjamin Atu, sought to know if the 35,000 Policemen deployed to ensure a peaceful election in the state were sent to deliver victory for APC by arresting and stopping PDP members from voting.
She lamented that the early morning raid by the Police had left the youths protesting at the Okumagbe palace.
She also faulted what she described as indiscriminate molestation by the Police, saying: “If the Nigeria Police and other security agencies were here to make peace, why are they making communities boil by arresting people for not supporting APC? The police must not allow itself to be used. This unprovoked anger is avoidable as the actions of the police could lead to the breakdown of law and order across the state.
“We can’t continue to calm the youths when the Police are making their community hostile.
“For a peaceful election, I, therefore, call on the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Defence Staff, DSS and others to intervene and ensure the immediate release of Chief Abdullahi Isah, who was arrested in Okpella; Ward 3 Councillor, Monday Uloko, detained in Agenebode.
“We also got information that the palace secretary of Okumagbe, Uwanno Kingdom and Supervisor in the Council, Mr Peter Akhagbosu and Samali James have been arrested. Other personal aides of a PDP chieftain, Mr D. D. Ilugbekhai, we gathered, have been threatened.
“The collective will of the masses can’t be subdued by unwarranted arrest as the continuous arrest will affect the turnout for the election.”
Ighodalo ends campaign, urges voters to be vigilant
Meanwhile, Dr Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, declared his campaign activities closed in line with the electoral laws, yesterday.
The Team Asue Media Organisation, TAMO, in a statement by Erhabor Emokpae, said all campaign activities ceased, yesterday.
“We would like to inform the general public that the current campaign has been officially concluded; and Ighodalo has consequently directed that no activity in this regard should exceed midnight, Sept. 19,” he said and warned that “Ighodalo will not be liable or held responsible for any consequences arising from any further campaign or promotional activities or communications conducted after the campaign’s official closing time and date.”
Thanking Edo people for their support and participation throughout the campaign, Ighodalo urged all voters to turn out in large numbers, exercise their civic duty and remain vigilant to protect and defend their votes on election day.
“As we close this chapter, we thank every supporter for embracing the message of ‘the pathway to prosperity for all. Together, let us ensure that our collective will is respected at the polls,” he said.
Poll places moral burden on INEC, security agencies —Jonathan
For a credible poll, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, also sued for peace, and charged state institutions involved in managing the process to create a level-playing field to ensure free and fair polling.
Dr. Jonathan also urged political actors and stakeholders to work towards deepening the nation’s democracy by prioritising peace and security of Edo State.
In a statement by Ikechukwu Eze, his media adviser, the former president emphasised the Edo election “places a moral burden on state agencies, especially the police and the INEC, to rise to their constitutional responsibilities as independent arbiters in our democratic process.”
For democracy to endure, he noted that “elections must be devoid of all forms of manipulation and state institutions have the obligation to guarantee peaceful, credible and transparent elections.”
Jonathan further charged the election management body to live up to expectations as an unbiased umpire and inspire confidence in all actors through a transparent voting process.
He said: “There is no doubt that loss of confidence in an election encourages political disputes, social unrest, voter apathy, increased polarisation and other far-reaching consequences that could undermine development and democratic consolidation.”
Edo declares today work-free
To enable workers and others travel to their voting areas ahead of the tomorrow’s election, the Edo State Government has declared today, September 20, a work-free day.
A statement by Joseph Eboigbe, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, reassured that security measures had been provided to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
According to Eboigbe, “it’s is hereby announced for the information of the general public that Edo State Government has declared Friday, September 20, a work-free day. This is to enable workers and other electorate travel to their voting areas ahead of the September 21 governorship election in the State.”
NGO unveils Mobile App, code to report GBV during election
Meanwhile, a Non-Governmental Organisation, Big Family360, yesterday, unveiled a mobile app, called SmartRR, to enable citizens report Gender-Based Violence, GBV, during the election.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the app was introduced during the: “I Stand for Peace Campaign” dialogue held for journalists and Civil Society Organisations in Benin.
The event was part of activities outlined by the Rally for Peaceful Election group, a multi-stakeholder forum advocating sustainable peace throughout the election.
Mr Samuel Dirug, Executive Director of Big Family360, said that the app would provide a platform for victims of GBV to quickly report and connect with service providers during the election.
Dirug explained that the initiative was to reduce violence against women and other vulnerable groups throughout the election.
“We are here in Benin to launch the SmartRR mobile application, which allows women and vulnerable individuals to anonymously report violence from both smart and basic phones. It is specifically deployed to assist women, people with disabilities, and the elderly in reporting GBV and other forms of violence during the Edo election,” he said.
He added that the app was available on Google Playstore and the Apple App Store, with an offline version accessible via the USSD code 3473090#.
“We will help victims connect with service providers located near their polling units and communities. Through this solution, we believe that violence against women and vulnerable populations during elections will be significantly reduced, ensuring equal rights to vote and be voted for,”Dirug said.
