Commission unveils timetable, rules for Cross River LG poll

Chief Imam warns against bloodshed in Edo polls
Barring last-minute changes, the Cross River State council election, which was postponed due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, holds this Saturday, May 30, 2020.

In a statement yesterday, the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission (CROSIEC) chairman, Dr. Mike Ushie, noted that accreditation and voting would start by 8a.m. and end by 3p.m. same day.

Since Governor Ben Ayade mounted the saddle five years ago, there has been no council election; Heads of Local Government Areas (HOLGAs) have been holding sway.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the state government had more than thrice fixed council elections, but they were rescheduled each time.

In view of this, some stakeholders in the state and federal legislature, including members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and other opposition figures have severally kicked against the running of councils without elected chairmen and councillors.

CRISIEC further stated that voting would take place in all the polling stations, as no loitering would be allowed.

CROSIEC added that all voters must adhere strictly to all COVID-19 precautionary measures stipulated by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) such as wearing of face mask, washing of hands, the use of hand sanitiser and most importantly, maintaining physical distance during the voting exercise.

Meanwhile, the Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque, Alhaji Abdufatah Enabulele, has said that the people of Edo State do not want bloodshed during the political parties’ primary elections in the state.

He stated this in a chat with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Benin City yesterday.

NAN reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election will hold on June 22, 2020, while that of Ondo State will hold on July 20.

His words, “The Edo and Ondo elections are almost coming at the same time, hence there is political tension in both states now due to their political differences.

“We are appealing that they should understand it is God that gives power, which, as Muslims, we put them in prayers during the Ramadan.”

According to the cleric, President Muhammadu Buhari also has a big role to play in this regard as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and most senior leader of the APC.

“The president must not be silent. He should use his power and authority to ensure equity and fair play during the primaries of these two states,” Enebulele added.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed the governorship election in Edo for September 19, while that of Ondo was fixed for October 10.