Several opposition parties in the country have urged security forces assigned to the governorship election in Edo State to refrain from intimidating voters.
This call comes in response to reports of a significant military presence along the state’s borders with Kogi, Delta, Ondo, and Anambra, ahead of today’s election.
Troops and police officers have been observed at various locations, including Akpapava Road, Ring Road, Sapele Road bypass, Ramat Park, Benin-Agbor Road, and Oregbeni, an area known for its troubled history.
Seventeen political parties are participating in the election, with key candidates including Senator Monday Okpebholo from the All Progressives Congress, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party.
In an interview with PUNCH, Ladipo Johnson, the National Publicity Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party, remarked that Saturday’s election will serve as a crucial test for all participating parties.
He also voiced concerns about the deployment of military personnel, suggesting they should instead focus on addressing insurgency issues in the northern regions.
He said, “I don’t think it is normal to have the military patrol, especially during elections. But those who are in the government at the centre will always tell you that it is normal. They want to reinforce security and so on. I think the military should be busy trying to end an insurgency that we have in some parts of the country.
“But again, nothing we say matters to this government. Let us see the roles they will play there in Edo on Saturday. Whether they will ensure peace, calm and relative order as we expect. We will also look out for what INEC will be doing to see if there is a level playing field for everybody.
“The truth is that Edo is a litmus test. It will let us know whether we are improving from the general election or retrogressing. We shouldn’t pre-empt them. But when we see the outcome of the Edo election, we will know what is coming to Ondo.”
The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, cautioned against unnecessary displays of force, stating that such actions could be counterproductive.
He said, “The position of the Labour Party in the Edo election is very clear. We are not among the two parties engineering controversies and fighting each other. As you can see, the LP camp is busy conducting its campaign and meeting people in a peaceful manner. And we are winning a lot of support.
(PUNCH)
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