Benin City – Independent National Electoral Commission has postponed the Edo State gubernatorial election to Wednesday September 28th, citing security threats as reasons for the postponement.
In a Press statement signed by the National Commissioner for Voters Education and Publicity, Prince Solomon Soyebi said that after due communication with security agencies, the commission found it necessary for the postponement of the polls.
“At about 6pm today, the commission received official communication from the Police and DSS drawing its attention to the need to postpone the Edo gubernatorial elections.
“Such a postponement, the communication indicates , is necessary in view of threats of terrorist activities in Edo and other states of the federation during the election and over the sallah period”, he said.
He further stated that the Commission also considered the safety of eligible voters, electoral officials, including ad-hoc staff, and other stakeholders were among reasons that motivated INEC to reschedule the election.
Meanwhile at the INEC office, Police officers deployed to monitor and protect members of the public during the course of the election were seen deserting the premises as it was confirmed that directives were given for them to return back to base.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER reports that the Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) had advised INEC to postpone the governorship election scheduled for Saturday September 10, 2016, for security reasons.
The two security agencies had based the advise on credible intelligence at its disposal, which suggests that insurgents are planning to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets, with high population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between 12th and 13th September.
The NIGERIAN OBSERVER also reports that INEC had earlier stood their ground on not postponing the election, as earlier advised by security agencies, stating that the Commission does not take others from anybody.
