Edo Guber: Election Democracy In Action Not War, IPAC Tells Candidates

As tension rises over likely violence in next Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, the Inter-Party Advisory Council has urged candidates and stakeholders to eschew violence as election is not a war but democracy in action.

There has been fear of violence following accusation and counter-accusation between the state ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) with its federal might.

The PDP has accused the APC of using its federal power to arrest its leaders and taking them to Abuja in order to weaken its strength ahead of the election.

It expressed strong reservations over the action of the police and the representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), especially its resident electoral commissioner in the state.

The party accused INEC and the police of partisanship and shunned signing the peace accord, which usually commits all parties to a peace process in every state and federal election, a few days ago.

On its part, the APC accused the police of not doing enough to bring to justice killers of Police detail that was attached to its governorship candidate.

The party, after threatening to boycott the peace accord, returned to the negotiation table and a few hours later signed it.

The tense situation leading to the off-season election is a worry to the citizens of the state, stakeholders and IPAC, which urged all parties to exercise restraint.

To douse the tension and allow the electorate cast their ballot to the candidate of their choice, IPAC said that the election is to enable the electorate to decide their choice of leadership, a leader it said will promote good governance, accountability, and development.

In a statement on Sunday by the National Chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, after a stakeholders’ meeting, the council urged all those involved in the election to prioritise peace, equity, and justice.

“To all stakeholders, let us remember, election is not war. It is simply an exercise in a democracy, where we choose leaders who will promote good governance, accountability, and development,” Dantalle said.

“As stakeholders, we must prioritise peace, equity, and justice. Let us work together to create an environment conducive to credible elections,” he stated in the statement.

He urged “all stakeholders to adhere to the principles of democracy, respect the rights of others, and prioritise the interests of the Edo people and Nigeria in general. I call upon you to join us as we work towards deepening democracy in Nigeria.

“I call on voters in next Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State to come out en masse and exercise their civic duty without hindrance.”

While encouraging the voters to vote for candidates based on their manifestos, track records, and leadership qualities, he urged them to reject any form of vote-buying, as it undermines the integrity of democracy.

“We urge you to recognise that the will of the electorate is sacrosanct and must be respected.

“The decision to choose leaders rests squarely on the shoulders of the people, and that is what makes democracy unique,” the statement said.

He said, “Leadership should be selfless service to the people, and if that is the case, no responsible leader would want to force themselves upon the people.”

He also appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to maintain neutrality and remain impartial, stressing that their roles are critical in maintaining the trust and confidence of the electorate.