How to attain peaceful Edo guber polls, by groups

Two groups, League of National Patriots and Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), have enjoined politicians and political parties to embrace politics without bitterness to ensure a peaceful gubernatorial election in Edo State next September.

The league, in a statement by its Edo State chapter, advised them to refrain from inciting youths against rivals and other governorship aspirants.

The group which made the call in a communiqué after a meeting held in Benin City pledged not to endorse any party’s aspirant in the forthcoming election but promised to massively support the best candidates who emerge after the various primaries.

Its national mobilization officer, Haruna Destiny Mohammed, said: “The group is not only poised to consolidate on its achievements in the last year’s general elections in Edo North, but this time its activities cutting across the entire state.”

Its state public relations officer, Prince Abdulrasheed Dirisu, remarked: “The 2016 exercise shall witness massive sensitization and mobilization of voters across the state through its network and structure which has witnessed unprecedented growth after the last general elections.”

The group had, before last year’s general elections, convened an interactive session among all the parties’ state and national legislative candidates in Edo North senatorial district in Auchi. The historic event was attended by over 90 per cent of the candidates who signed a peace pact to accept the outcome of the election without resorting to violence.

ANEEJ, in a statement issued in Benin City by its founder, Rev. David Ugolor, said the people should back Governor Adams Oshiomhole, to choose a credible successor, urging him to freely endorse any aspirant or candidate for the polls.

According to the rights activist, there is no verifiable law known to him in the country that hinders an incumbent governor from producing his successor.

He added that “given the excellent performance of Comrade Oshiomhole in the past seven years in office, the only parting gift his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Edo people could offer him is to work closely with him to produce his successor.”