DESPITE a tense atmosphere that has greeted the political process in Edo State as the people of the state elect a new governor on Saturday, September 21, there is a palpable calm across the state on Friday, September 20.
The ICIR reports that the pre-election activities in the state have been characterised by dramas from the leading political parties, including the ruling party in the state, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC)
Seventeen political parties are competing for votes in the poll, with three candidates – PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, APC’s Monday Okpebholo, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) – leading the race.
There are approximately 2.63 million registered voters but only 2.25 million of these have collected their permanent voter’s card (PVC), making them eligible to vote, according to data from the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC)
By this, the election in Edo would be determined by only 85.57 per cent of registered voters casting their ballot in 4,519 polling units across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
Meanwhile, a few hours before the election, The ICIR reporter observed that the atmosphere across key cities, including Benin, Irrua, and Uromi appears largely peaceful as residents prepare to cast their votes.
Security in the state has been tightened, with visible deployments of heavy security in several parts of the state, including the INEC state headquarters, Ikpoba Hill, Benin City.
Police operatives, officers of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Army were sighted both inside and outside of the INEC building.
The ICIR also observed how markets were flooded, as many residents made efforts to stock their homes with food.
A large number of people crowded the Ikpobahil Market in Benin City, engaging in last-minute shopping ahead of the poll.
However, some residents expressed concerns over what they described as a ‘heavy deployment’ of security in the state, noting that there’s a growing anxiety over the conduct of the election.
According to Igbinigie Mathew, a resident of the state, who works as an Airport taxi driver, there has been an influx of security operatives and politicians in the state in the last four days.
He also stated that residents, including himself, are beginning to fear, adding that ‘election is not war.’
Another resident, who simply gave his name as Omoruyi, said since the Edo Security Network was banned from the governorship poll, there has been heavy mobilisation of security operatives across the state.
Recall that on September 11, Governor Godwin Obaseki accused the police of harassing PDP leaders and members, noting that the state police commissioner was undermining his authority.
Obaseki cautioned that the police’s unchecked actions could potentially lead to a statewide crisis, with far-reaching and destabilising effects on the country.
“I heard that the plan is to arrest as many PDP stalwarts as possible, including me, if they can. This is a very dangerous trend and a real threat to our democracy,” the governor alleged while addressing protesters who gathered to voice their displeasure over the police’s actions at the Government House in Benin City.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, pledged to ensure a free, fair and credible poll in the state.
PDP’s gives condition for signing peace accord
The ICIR reports that the ruling party in the state – the PDP – on September 12, declined to sign the peace accord for the election.
The party, the PDP, through its state chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, said it would only be unfair, and unreasonable to request a party that was under a vicious attack by the opposing party and the police to sign a peace accord.
The chairman further asked the police and the INEC to submit an undertaking affirming a level playing field between the parties.
“In the course of preparations for this election, however, strange and disturbing new elements have been introduced in particular by a party that has apparently reached the conclusion that it cannot prevail in a free, fair and peaceful election.
“That party and its senior officials have openly boasted about their intention to deploy ‘federal might’ to ensure victory despite the will or wishes of Edo people,” the statement added.
Usman Mustapha is a solution journalist with International Centre for Investigative Reporting. You can easily reach him via: [email protected]. He tweets @UsmanMustapha_M