Anxiety over Edo poll as police vow to descend on troublemakers

• Don’t wear campaign attire to polling units, INEC warns parties, supporters
• Yiaga Africa urges INEC to deliver transparent, credible Edo election
• IPC tasks journalists, security operatives, others on safety

Amid the heavy deployment of security forces in Edo State, all eyes will tomorrow, be on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as voters decide who succeeds Governor Godwin Obaseki.

There was heavy presence of police personnel in Benin, the state capital as INEC began distribution of non-sensitive election materials. The police presence caused traffic gridlock in some areas where security personnel from the Nigeria Police and other security agents were seen stationed at strategic places.

While some of the security personnel were seen moving around the state capital in a show of force, others who were newly deployed to the state were seen with their bags, awaiting their posting to other parts of the state.

Already, public workers in Edo have been given today as work-free by the state government to enable them to travel to their voting areas. The Secretary to the State Government, Joseph Eboigbe, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday, reassuring residents that security measures have been provided to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.

The Deputy Inspector-General (DIG), in charge of providing security for the Edo governorship election, Mr. Frank Mba, has warned those without assigned legitimate duties in Saturday’s exercise to stay from the polling units across the state. Mba gave the warning at a press conference held at the State Police Command headquarters, Benin City on Thursday, in Benin City.

Specifically, he warned those claiming to be journalists, election observers, vigilantes without accreditation, members of private security organisations and hunters to stay far from all polling units across the state. He, however, reassured voters of water-tight security during and after the poll.

Mba stated that the police had perfected synergy with the army, air force, DSS, navy and other sister agencies to ensure a violent-free election.

Also, INEC has issued a warning to political parties, their candidates, and supporters prohibiting them from wearing campaign attire or bringing campaign materials to polling units on Election Day.

This is as Obaseki has labeled Saturday’s election as a “do or die affair” citing the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC)’s alleged impunity and recklessness in the state.

Citing instances of intimidation, including the use of police helicopters for campaign and armed policemen attempting to arrest individuals, Obaseki, during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television, accused the APC of plotting to rig the election but expressed confidence in the people’s ability to block such attempts.

He said: “The Saturday election is a do-or-die affair. With the level of impunity and recklessness we see in the opposition party, if they take over Edo State that would be the end.

“I don’t regret that statement. If you know what has happened in recent times, you will understand my statement. Can you imagine a former governor of the state (Adams Oshiomole) has more security cover than me who is a sitting governor? He was using a police helicopter to campaign for the APC. ”

He, however, added that the PDP will accept the outcome of a “properly conducted election” in the state. “We are not asking for any favour but are stating that Edo citizens should be free to go to the polls to elect the candidates of their choice. We will accept the outcome of a properly conducted election.”

For YIAGA Africa, a civil society organization, it yesterday warned of potential violence, and vote buying during the election. During a pre-election press conference in Benin, Yiaga stressed the need to address vote buying through decisive actions, including the arrest and prosecution of both buyers and sellers.

The CSO said it observed a “volatile political climate” for the election, adding that strong-arm tactics and violence marred the campaign period.

“The campaign period was signposted with strong-arm tactics and violence. The activities of cult groups and political thugs have intensified amidst the proliferation of small and light arms,” Yiaga Africa said.

“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 elections. Yiaga Africa has identified eight 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.”

The body also called on INEC to conduct a transparent and credible election, meeting the expectations of Nigerians. According to Yiaga, voter registration data indicates a significant increase in voter engagement, with 2,629,025 voters registered, a 19 per cent increase from 2020.

“Notably, 85.57 per cent of registered voters have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), indicating a high level of interest in participating in the election. Yiaga Africa reported instances of voter inducement, with political parties distributing cash and gifts to entice voters, undermining the electoral process. To address this, Yiaga Africa will deploy 325 trained observers to monitor the election, using the Process & Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology.”

Similarly, the International Press Centre (IPC) has urged journalists as well as other stakeholders that would be on electoral duty during the governorship election in Edo to pay optimal attention to their safety.

While specifically enjoining security operatives to help ensure the safety of journalists, IPC’s Executive Director, Lanre Arogundade, disclosed that the call was imperative due to the consistent trend of journalists being victims of attacks during the election period and the conflicts and tension by political actors and other players in the electoral process in the state.

In a statement issued and signed by Melody Akinjiyan, the Press Freedom Officer of IPC, Arogundade said: “It is very important for journalists covering the Edo State election to be safety conscious in the discharge of their duties and to avoid situations that will put them in danger.

“Journalists are expected to take into consideration some safety measures while on the field, he said, adding that they should internalise tips such as “Be non-partisan, don’t walk or move alone, Be INEC accredited and have your organisational identity card. Be brave and smart. i.e., cover violent situations from a reasonable distance, handle classified information appropriately.”

Arogundade also admonished other stakeholders, especially the security agencies, to undertake their tasks in a very professional manner.