Edo guber: Coalition petitions int’l community over manipulation plans

CP vows to protect electoral materials,warns electorate against violence

The coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa, at the weekend, petitioned the international community, pro-democracy organisations, and human rights watchdogs, raising the alarm over the potential manipulation of security agencies ahead of the Edo State gubernatorial election on September 21.

The petition, made available to newsmen, yesterday, and signed by the Country Director of the coalition, John Mayaki, warned against what it describes as a looming threat to Nigeria’s democratic integrity if the Nigeria Police fails to maintain neutrality.

Citing growing concerns of bias, the coalition accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), which controls the Federal Government, of attempting to leverage its influence over the police to tilt the electoral scale in its favour.

The petition detailed fears that the police, which falls under federal jurisdiction, may be weaponised for voter suppression and political intimidation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Nemi Iwo, at the weekend, assured of adequate security, vowing to ensure neutrality in the forthcoming Edo election just as it met with chairmen of political parties and their respective governorship candidates ahead of the election.

The CP, who welcomed the politicians to the meeting, said the interface was for a peaceful election. Iwo reassured the gathering that the Police and its sister security agencies will ensure that all stakeholders, including electoral materials, are protected. He appealed to them for their supporters to shun violence during the poll.