A non-political group, Mentoring Individual’s Dream (MiND) Initiative, in collaboration with Accountability Lab Nigeria, alongside other election stakeholders present in Edo State organized a grassroots voters’ mobilization campaign on Wednesday.

The mobilization outreach aimed at consciously educating and sensitizing Edo citizens across various Benin metropolis on the significance of trouping out en masse to vote for their preferred legislative candidates vying for the Edo House of Assembly Election on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

The campaign sensitized men, women, persons with disabilities (PWD), youths, commuters, buyers, and traders, through the use of public address systems and music to attract the target audience.

The take-off point was the Benin museum ground (Kings’ square), through Ring Road -Oba market axis, Sapele Road, Golf- Course Road to the NUJ (Nigerian Union of Journalists) Edo state council secretariat,
Airport road – vegetable market routes.

The Team Lead – MiND Initiative, Peter O. Aguebor, in his address at the Edo state council NUJ secretariat, informed the Edo NUJ chairman, members of the press, and election stakeholders present, of the need to adequately push for voters’ education with a goal to reducing voters apathy in Saturday’s election.

In his speech, Peter stressed; “This is to further improve on the existing knowledge that the citizens of Edo state have towards the legislative arm of government in Edo state, as well as to change the obvious poor narrative attention given to the legislative arm of government in Edo state”.

In his remark, the Edo state NUJ Chairman, Festus Alenkhe acknowledged and thanked the leadership of MiND Initiative and its stakeholders for organizing a peaceful rally.

Festus Alenkhe urged residents of Edo State to go to their respective polling units and peacefully vote for candidates of their choice in Saturday’s election.

Alenkhe also called on security agents to adequately beef up their security.

According to Festus; “As journalists, we remain apolitical, we don’t belong to any political party, but we must report the good and the bad of the day.

“So whichever way it goes, to us whether it is good or bad, do expect any of the reports from us before, during, and after the election. Whichever way it goes, to us it is news.

“I want to appeal to all our youths, that election is not a do or die affair”.