Ekiti Guber: TMG Identifies Flashpoints In Ekiti

Ahead of Saturday governorship election in Ekiti State, an election monitoring group, the Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has identified various violence prone areas in the state.

The group also bemoaned what it called over deployment of security agents to the state for the purpose of the poll.

The flashpoints identified, according to the group included Ikere Ekiti, Oye Ekiti, Ire Ekiti, Is an and Efon Alaaye.

In Ado Ekiti, the state capital, areas like Ajilosun, Atikankan, Odo Ado, Mathew, Ogbon Ado, Ijigbo were also

Addressing newsmen yesterday in Ado Ekiti, the TMG chairperson, Abiola Akiyode- Afolabi said the areas are noted for violence during election in the past.

Afolabi who spoke alongside the Southwest Coordinator of the group, Sulaiman Argbagbu, however, called on all stakeholders to support peaceful and credible election in the state.

She said the identification became necessary for civil society organisations, security agencies and other relevant agencies to beam their searchlight on the areas.

” Traditionally, there are huge concentration of people who usually gathered in these areas.

“It is for civil society organisations and security agencies to concentrate their attention on the areas in other to reduce violence”.

On the security deployed in the state for the purpose of the election, Afolabi said over policing of the poll may discourage many voters from participating in the election.

She said: ” In a State as fragile as Ekiti, it is expedient that the gubernatorial election is done in a manner that ensure safety of lives and property, knowing fully that Nigeria in recent times have suffered preventable loss of lives and property, this election should therefore not add to the number of deaths already recorded.

“The level of tension in Ekiti State at present is high and a direct threat to voter turn out, the credibility of the process and the peaceful conduct of the election.

“TMG is also worried about the overwhelming deployment of police personnel for Ekiti Election. This is clear indication that politicians have not learnt their lesson from past experiences.

Over deployment of security agent and political violence or threat of violence are vicious cycle that undermine credibility of the electoral process, intimidate the electorate and result in poor voters turnout”.

The group, however, urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the election is free, fair and conclusive and that the election materials be deployed on time at the polling units to avoid voters being apprehensive.

She said TMG will continue to support the government, Nigeria citizens and civil societies groups to ensure good governance is entrenched in Nigeria through responsible leadership.