Governorship election: Police raid black spots in Edo

DIG Frank Mba, in charge of the police contingent for the Edo State Governorship Election, says the State Command has raided black spots ahead of the September 21 governorship election set to hold in the State. Mba said this at a news briefing on Wednesday in Benin, shortly after addressing the police personnel deployed for the poll.

He said that the raid was carried out by the command with the support of visiting officers and that some miscreants were being detained. According to him, the exercise became necessary to rid the state of miscreants and ensure a hitchfree election. Mba said the IGP had deployed adequately for the election, adding that they would work with other sister security agencies to provide security during the election.

“Like the IGP has already briefed Nigerians, the police will be deploying adequately for the Edo election. What we have done today is to hold a meeting with the strategic commanders, DPOs, Area Commanders, Deputy Commissioners of Police and Commissioner of Police, who are saddled with the task of providing leadership and supervision at the various levels.

“Our task is to provide a peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of a free, fair and credible election. We are working with sister agencies as we cannot work in isolation. The state shares border with Kogi, Delta, Ondo and Anambra so the security will be adequately done. The Army will man these boarder areas that are far away while the Navy will also provide security on the waterways. Other security organisations will also work with us during the election,” the police chief said.

He also said that the police had provided a dedicated phone line – 07025000383 for the public to report any breach of the peace.

“This phone number will be with me and if for operational reasons it is not with me, it will be with my personal assistant. The state command as supported by visiting officers have been conducting very specialised operations. They have been conducting raids at known criminal hideouts.

“Most of the raids they have are target-oriented, intelligence-driven and they are targeted at isolating criminal elements in the state while some have been detained. The raid continues as we are ready to provide adequate security during this election,” Mba said.

Edo guber: Obi tasks security agencies, INEC on credible poll

Mr Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 presidential election, has tasked INEC and security agencies to ensure a free, fair and credible Edo governorship election come Sept. 21. Obi made the call at the grand finale rally for Olumide Akpata, LP candidate in the Edo Governorship election on Wednesday in Benin.

Obi noted that the people of the state would resist any attempt by political parties to rig the election. He said that LP  would deliver the needed change in Edo for the benefit of the masses.

”If elected, the Labour Party’s candidate will address federal roads connected to the state without waiting for the federal government to act”.

He criticized state governors who often defer responsibilities to the Federal Government at the expense of their citizens, assuring that Olumide Akpata would not follow that path. He called on the people of the state to turnout in large numbers on Sept. 21 to vote for Akpata and his running mate, Yusuf Kadiri.

Prof. Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s running mate in the 2023 presidential election, urged LP supporters to leverage their numerical strength to ensure the victory of their candidate. He also encouraged the party supporters to stand firm, vote, and defend their votes, stressing that power ultimately belongs to the people.

Similarly, Sen Neda Imasuen, representing Edo South Senatorial District, urged the party supporters to leverage on previous successes and replicate same on Sept. 21.

On his part, Akpata urged his supporters to use their votes to chase the People’s Democratic Party out of Edo government house.

Ensure free, fair election in Edo – PDP tells INEC, Police

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Police to ensure a free, fair and credible governorship election in Edo State. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr ,Debo Ologunagba stated this at a news conference on Wednesday, in Abuja.

Ologunagba called on INEC to ensure all result sheets for the election were counter signed by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and National Commissioner supervising the zone for authentication. He said that the result sheets should be counter signed at the time of the distribution of election materials to the various local governments, wards and units.

Ologunagba said that the party and the people of Edo would not allow rigging of the Saturday election. He said that the PDP and millions of its supporters were fully prepared for the election and optimistic of victory. He urged the people to be law-abiding, vote peacefully, but be alert and ready to defend their votes.

“After casting their votes, they should stay back peacefully and ensure that their votes are counted and results directly uploaded before leaving. The tide of this election, to the effect that the PDP is coasting to a sweeping victory, is clear for all to see and the people of Edo are not ready to accept any result that does not reflect their will as expressed at the ballot,” he said.

He also called on President Bola Tinubu to direct INEC and the police to do the right thing, to ensure that the Edo governorship election was credible.