Edo government has declared Friday, September 20, a work-free day to enable workers and others travel to their voting areas ahead of the Saturday’s governorship election in the state.
A statement by Joseph Eboigbe, Secretary to the Edo State Government, SSG, reassured that security measures had been provided to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
According to Eboigbe, it was announced for the information of the general public that the Edo State government had 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.”
“Government wishes everyone journey mercies and reassures that security measures have been provided to ensure a free, fair and credible election, ” he said.
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Police raid black spots ahead of poll
DIG Frank Mba, in charge of the police contingent for Edo governorship election, has said that the state command has raided black spots ahead of the September 21 governorship election.
Mba said this at a news briefing on Wednesday in Benin, shortly after addressing the police personnel deployed for the poll.
He said that the raid was carried out by the command with the support of visiting officers and that some miscreants were being detained.
According to him, the exercise became necessary to rid the state of miscreants and ensure a hitch-free election.
Mba said the IGP had deployed adequately for the election, adding that they would work with other sister security agencies to provide security during the election.
“Like the IGP has already briefed Nigerians, the police will be deploying adequately for the Edo election.
“What we have done today is to hold a meeting with the strategic commanders, DPOs, Area Commanders, Deputy Commissioners of Police and Commissioner of Police, who are saddled with the task of providing leadership and supervision at the various levels.
“Our task is to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of a free, fair and credible election.
“We are working with sister agencies as we cannot work in isolation.
“The state shares border with Kogi, Delta, Ondo and Anambra so the security will be adequately done.
“The Army will man these border areas that are far away while the Navy will also provide security on the waterways.
“Other security organisations will also work with us during the election,” the police chief said.
He also said that the police had provided a dedicated phone line – 07025000383 – for the public to report any breach of the peace.
“This phone number will be with me and if for operational reasons it is not with me, it will be with my personal assistant.
“The state command as supported by visiting officers have been conducting very specialised operations.
“They have been conducting raids at known criminal hideouts.
“Most of the raids they have are target-oriented, intelligence-driven and they are targeted at isolating criminal elements in the state while some have been detained.
“The raid continues as we are ready to provide adequate security during this election,” Mba said.
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Oarhe, DO-CAN speaks, urges Edo people to vote wisely
Amidst the much-awaited Edo state governorship election, a former National Assembly candidate for the House of Representatives, Mr. Oarhe Dickson has asked voters to vote wisely to ensure robust democracy with its numerous dividends.
Oarhe also urged all political parties, their candidates, supporters, interest/pressure groups and movements, including the Electoral commission (INEC) to thread the path of justice, equity, transparency, fairness, truth and adhering to the rule of law.
In a statement released by the Dickson Oarhe Campaign Network (DO-CAN) director of strategy, Chief Gideon Oboye and Mr. Chukwuma Kingsley (DO-CAN) interim coordinator, Publicity/New Media, Oarhe appealed to Edo people to come out to vote, while seeing Saturday election as a contest in one big, united family.
“In light of this, we are appealing t Edo people to make the right decision now through their vote. Edo needs someone who can create wealth and that can further boost the economy of the state for the overall benefits and well-being of Edo people”, Oarhe said.
Voters don’t need Wike’s guidance — Obaseki
Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said that the electorate does not require the influence of Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to select the appropriate candidate in Saturday’s governorship election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Obaseki asserted that Edo people are wise enough to decide whom to vote for and should not be influenced by anyone.
Wike recently stated he would not support the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the forthcoming poll, having fallen out with Obaseki.
Wike was one of the PDP leaders who worked for Obaseki’s victory against the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, in the 2020 election.
However, according to Obaseki, his fallout with Wike and some of his political associates will not hinder the chances of the PDP and Ighodalo in Saturday’s governorship election.
Obaseki said, “He (Wike) came to get Edo people to vote for me, right? Wow! Edo people are not that dumb. They know who to vote for.”
“They don’t require the services of an outsider to make their decisions. Edo people will make decisions this time because they know what they want.
“Some politicians are not happy with me because I have used money from the government’s revenues to solve the needs of the people.”
Furthermore, the governor clarified that the Edo governorship poll would be a do-or-die affair, stating that the Edo people would be doomed if the APC took over the state.
The governor expressed no regret for making the statement due to the impunity allegedly displayed by the APC ahead of the election.
“It’s a do-or-die affair because if they do, we die. The level of impunity, the level of recklessness we see in the opposition party, if they take over Edo State, it is the end,” Obaseki said.
