By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured the people of peaceful polls, saying there will not be a restriction of movement during the Local Government Area (LGA) elections scheduled for Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Obaseki promised commuters transiting through the state of safe passage.
The Governor gave the assurance while briefing journalists after the State Security Council meeting held at the Government House, in Benin City, the State capital.
Obaseki, who assured Edo people of adequate security during the election, urged voters to come out en masse to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates. He noted that the State will be very peaceful as all security agencies are on ground to protect the electorates.
According to him: “We reviewed the security situation, beginning with the forthcoming September 2nd local government election in Edo State. The local government election will be held on Saturday and one unique thing about the election is that movement is not restricted. People will be allowed to go about their normal activities after voting. Movement within the State and commuters going through the State will not be restricted.
“The security must be high. That is why we have met with the various security agencies to look at their readiness and preparation for the election.
“From the level of mobilization, we have seen what is happening across the parties and believe that there is quite a considerable level of sensitization. People will come out to vote. My advice is that as they come out to vote, they should do it peacefully. Election is not war.
“Enough preparation has been made to secure the people so that they can go to the polling unit, vote and go home. If they need to come back and wait for the votes to be counted and the election declared, they can also do so, but it must be peaceful.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dankwara, said security agencies are prepared and ready for the local government election, noting: “We are prepared for the election and we are all on the same page with our sister security agencies and surely the election will be very peaceful.”
