Edo 2016: Need for massive turn-out, peaceful poll tomorrow

Last week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) held a stakeholders meeting ahead of tomorrow’s Edo State Governorship election. INEC resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Sam Olumekun assured all candidates of the contesting political parties and the electorate of a free, fair, transparent and conclusive election. The new police Commissioner in the same vein, assured of adequate security during the election, warning all trouble makers to stay away from the election.

On its part, the Edo State Government has declared September 27 and 28 as public holidays to enable electorate participate in the state’s governorship election. The declaration was made by the Governor on Saturday, September 24 at a grand reception organised for him by the organised labour in Edo State.

Sadly, however, after the well attended stakeholders meeting, the Deputy General of the Godwin Obaseki campaign organization, John Osakue alleged that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is planning to assassinate the APC gubernatorial candidate, Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

Osakue also said the PDP is producing fake military and para-military uniforms to be used during the governorship election on September 28, 2016.

This came as a surprise to many Edo people who are already waiting to exercise their civic duties tomorrow. This allegation is weighty and it is necessary for the law enforcement agencies to investigate the veracity of the allegation with a view to bringing all suspects to book.

It equally means that even though the military and para-military have been mobilised to join the police to maintain law and order in the state, it may turn out to be that not all of them wearing uniforms might be original. Therefore, the military and para-military men already deployed to the state for the purposes of tomorrow’s election should be on the lookout for anyone who is fake in their midst. Those deployed for the election should have their special identification code and anyone wearing uniform which does not have such identification code should be fished out and dealt with according to the law.

Political gladiators in tomorrow’s poll must ensure they play the game according to the rules. All those alleged to be plotting to ferment trouble or have their hands in the alleged assassination plot should flee from such evil plot and should not underrate the security apparatus’ on ground for the smooth conduct of tomorrow’s election.

I recall a PDP participant at the INEC stakeholder meeting saying “nobody has the monopoly of violence.” It is now making more sense why he made that statement as the party seems to have a plan for violence. The earlier the party aborted its plans for any form of violence, the better for its members.

We commend Edo people for condemning the alleged plot as it is smack of cowardice. If you want to govern a people, you must convince them beyond reasonable doubts why you want their support as the APC has been doing. This do-or-die strategy of the PDP which they openly boast of is condemnable and should not be allowed to stand.

It is important to emhasise that Edo State has come a long way in the nation’s match to democratic rule and eligible voters in the state should feel very free to file out to exercise their franchise tomorrow. There is already an assurance of water-tight security and from the show of force exercise this past few days, the security agents have demonstrated their preparedness to carry out their duties on election day. No voter should be afraid of security presence or be intimidated by anybody or group of persons. All that is needed to be done is for the voter to be armed with his or her own voter card and proceed to the polling unit to exercise his or franchise.

According to the arrangement by INEC, immediately after an eligible voter has been accredited, he will be issued the ballot paper to cast his or her vote and after casting your vote, you have done your part and you are free to go home and await the announcement of the result by INEC. Waiting around the polling unit unnecessarily may land any suspicious voter in big trouble. INEC and its staff should be given free hand to do their job without interference.

There is therefore no hiding the fact that anyone or group of persons with an ulterior motive of wanting to subvert the rules of the election would face the music. So it will be in the interest of all citizens to be law abiding and eschew violence at tomorrow’s re-scheduled governorship election. A word is enough for the wise.