Les than 48 hours to the governorship election in Edo State, there is heavy presence of police personnel in Benin, the state capital.
The heavy presence of security personnel caused traffic gridlock in some areas of the state capital where security personnel from the Nigeria Police and other security agents were seen stationed at strategic places.
Men of Nigeria Police Force, the men of the Nigeria Army, the personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC ) have been mobilised into the town across the state.
The police, three days ago, had deployed the first batch of 35,000 police officers who arrived the state to ensure law and order.
Also, in the state are soldiers and officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as part of the moves to ensure a hitch-free poll.
The NSCDC on Wednesday deployed 6,433, while the Defence headquarters said the deployment of soldiers was meant to guarantee a safe environment for the electorate.
Some of the personnel were on ground at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin mounting strategic places.
It was noticed that some security agents, who have been deployed to the state were seen with their bags, awaiting to be deployed to other parts of the state.
However, some of the security agencies who have been on ground were seen moving around the state capital in a show of force.
Meanwhile, the INEC has cautioned political parties to comply with provisions of the Electoral Act which forbid them from indulging in open campaigns 24 hours to conduct of an election.
A statement issued in Abuja and signed by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, urged parties fielding candidates in tomorrow’s off-season governorship election in the state, their candidates and supporters to be mindful, particularly of Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Checks by Tribune Online revealed that the section reads in part:” A person, print or electronic medium that broadcasts, publishes, advertises or circulates any material for the purpose of promoting or opposing a particular political party or the election of a particular candidate over the radio, television, newspaper, magazine, handbills, or any print or electronic media whatsoever called within twenty four hours immediately preceding or on polling day commits an offence under this Act.
“Where an offence under sub-section (1) is committed by a body corporate, the principal officers of that body shall be deemed to have equally committed the same offence,” INEC in its statement noted that “It is, therefore, illegal for any political party in the state to engage in rallies, processions or media campaigns from midnight today.”
These prohibitions, including sanctions, are provided for in Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2022.
Also, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in the state, INEC on Thursday morning, commenced distribution of sensitive materials to the 18 local government areas of the state.
Onuoha Anugbum, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), who supervised the exercise held at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Benin branch, confirmed the report.
He said: “Yes, we are here, we have commenced the distribution of sensitive materials to the local government area,” Tribune Online reported that hired vehicles that will convey the materials to various locations were stationed beside the CBN.
The area was closed to commercial activities as buses plied one way to enter and exit the area.
Also, many journalists, from both print and electronics media, besieged the venue to capture the moment.
Meanwhile, the Edo State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Thursday, in Benin offered prayers for the smooth conduct of Saturday’s governorship election in the state, with a charge to the electorate to vote candidate of their choice.
In his welcome address, the state’s Chairman of CAN, Apostle Omoike, said that the prayer session becomes imperative particularly against the backdrop of several threats arising from the political campaigns in respect of the election.
He said that Edo is known to be peaceful and that the session was to intercede so that credible candidate with the fear of God, who would love the people, respect constituted authorities, especially traditional institution, would emerge.
Onoike added that the prayer is to have a governor who will uphold the tenet of integrity which according to him, has remained the benchmarks of sustainable governance in the state right from the Mid-West and Bendel eras.
The prayer session which featured prominently all the christian denominations in Benin, was also targeted at bringing peace and wading off untimely deaths, attacks, and other forms of devilish intentions in the state.
In a related development, the state government has declared today (Friday), a work-free day in the state to enable workers and other electorate travel to their voting areas ahead of the governorship election.
In a statement, Joseph Eboigbe, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), reassured that security measures had been provided to ensure a free, fair and credible election.
The statement reads, “It is hereby announced for the information of the general public that the state government has declared Friday, a work-free day in the state.
“This is to enable workers and other electorate travel to their voting areas ahead of the governorship election in the state.
“Government wishes everyone journey mercies and reassures that security measures have been provided to elsurection,” he added.
Also, a Civil Society Organisation, (CSO), Yiaga Africa, on Thursday, identified eight local government areas of the state as flashpoints for violence in tomorrow’s governorship election in the state.
The group, therefore, urged security agencies to ensure adequate deployment of personnel to cover all these 18 local government areas.
The group listed the councils as Ikpoba/Okha, Oredo, Egor, Ovia South-West, Ovia North-East, Esan South-East, Etsako West and Etsako East local government areas.
Disclosing this at a pre-election press conference held in Benin on the Edo 2024 governorship election, Yaga Africa noted that the issues of vote buying must be addressed by ensuring vote buyers and sellers were not only arrested, but also prosecuted as deterrent to others.
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