BENIN CITY-The Edo State residence Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC. Mr. Samuel Olumekun has assured electorates of a free, fair, credible and conclusive election in the September 10, governorship election in the state.
The REC gave the assurance in Benin City during the launch of one man, one woman, one vote campaign by Edo State Chapter of Democracy Vanguard.
The Edo State REC who was represented at the event by the Head of Department, voters Education Programme, INEC Edo State, Mr. Ikpetua Francis said that without a Permanent Voter Card (PVC), nobody would be allowed to vote, adding that immediately after accreditation, voting follows unlike before.
According to him, those who turned 18 years, applied for transfer of their PVC and also those who don’t have PVC and participated in the recently concluded voters registration in the state will get their PVC before the election.
Also the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Ezike, represented by SP. Okafor Moses. O/C Political Desk, state CID, Benin City, said the forthcoming election in the state would not be about the police alone, but in collaboration with sister security agencies for effective protection of lives and material during the election.
Okafor, added that security agencies are making adequate preparation to show the world that Edo State would stand out to be one of the first state to conduct peaceful and credible election in this new dispensation.
On his part, the National Coordinator Democracy Vanguard (DV) Comrade Adeola Soetan said voters are the king and queens of elections who must determine the fate of all politicians and political parties aspiring for elective political positions.
Meanwhile, the chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, Comrade Roland Osakue has called on the electorate to come out and exercise their franchise, urging them to eschew aparty as long as they posses their PVC.
Comrade Osakue who describe election as a game of numbers said nobody should spill blood for any politicians as “Nobody’s blood is worth the ambition of any politicians.
He urge the electorate not to sell their vote rather to vote their conscience guests at the event included the Commander Nigeria Army, 4 Brigade Commander Brig-Gen B.A Raji, who was represented by Major. Ofor Cassro Akubo.
