Edo guber: Group seeks strict measures against partisan security operatives

Ahead of the governorship election in Edo State this month, the Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) has been reminded of the need to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene by providing very clear consequences for security operatives who are partisan and work against the conduct of peaceful elections irrespective of political affiliations.

A Non-Governmental Organisation, the Election Monitor, made the call, on Thursday, during the presentation of the 2016 Edo State Governorship Observation and Research Guide, a document aimed at providing readers with some quality information that can enable them better understand and follow the 2016 Election in Edo State.

National Coordinator of the organization, Abiodun Ajijola, speaking during the presentation said that the measure is key because much of what is happening in some States where insecurity has not allowed the conclusion of the conduct of elections is a show of force of different political actors who have influence over security in different ways.

Just as he urged stakeholders especially election observers to support INEC to ensure that the 2016 Edo election is transparent, free, fair credible and hopefully conclusive on the first ballot, Ajijola who noted that 23,000 officers will be deployed for the Edo State governorship election by the Nigeria Police argued that the key issue should not only be the number of security personnel but also the impartiality and professional conduct of the officers while on electoral duty, while priority  should also be given to their welfare.

He also urged INEC to continue its development of the Nigerian electoral process by ensuring that it successfully achieves success in all areas within its control and appeals for support and intervention in areas outside its control.

Ajijola further appealed that all efforts be put on deck to make both the Edo and Ondo governorship elections better than previous elections in the hope that many lessons should have been learnt from the plethora of conducted elections in the past one year.

” and INEC is encouraged to ensure that it makes every effort to implement recommendations arising from these elections”, he stated.