Ahead of the highly anticipated Edo State governorship election set for Saturday, Governor Godwin Obaseki has laid out strict conditions for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to accept the election outcome, stressing that the process must be “properly conducted” for the results to be deemed credible.
Obaseki, whose second term as governor comes to an end in November, made this assertion during a crucial meeting with the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, and top security officials in Benin City.
The meeting, held to discuss security arrangements for the election, comes amid rising tensions and concerns over the conduct of the poll.
Obaseki later shared details of the meeting on his official X account.
With 17 candidates vying for the governorship seat, the political atmosphere in Edo State has become charged, particularly following inflammatory comments by key political figures.
Obaseki himself had previously described the election as a “do-or-die affair” during a PDP rally, a statement that further escalated tensions.
His refusal to sign the peace accord ahead of the election has also raised eyebrows, signaling a volatile political climate as the state approaches the polls.
During the meeting, the governor emphasized the importance of national security in the electoral process, voicing concerns over the alleged intimidation and harassment of PDP members.
According to Obaseki, these concerns had been addressed in part by the CDS, whose presence in the state was seen as a reassurance of a peaceful and fair election.
Obaseki pointedly noted that the PDP was not seeking special treatment but was advocating for an environment where voters could freely make their choice without fear of intimidation.
“We are not asking for any favour but are stating that Edo citizens should be free to go to the polls to elect the candidates of their choice. We will accept the outcome of a properly conducted election,” Obaseki said.
He further stressed that the integrity of the process would be key to ensuring peace and acceptance of the results by the PDP.
General Musa, in his remarks, informed Governor Obaseki that his visit to the state was part of efforts to assess the preparedness of the security forces ahead of the election.
He assured the governor that both the military and other security agencies were fully ready to maintain order during the election, with a focus on non-partisanship and professionalism.
“The armed forces and security agencies are prepared to ensure a conducive environment for the people of Edo to freely come out and vote for their preferred candidates,” General Musa stated, reinforcing the commitment to a peaceful and credible election process.
The security concerns surrounding the election are not unfounded, with the political temperature in Edo State rising steadily.
The contest is widely seen as a three-way race between the Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo.
With over 2.2 million registered voters expected to cast their ballots, the outcome of the election is predicted to be closely fought, and the presence of security personnel will play a critical role in ensuring that the process is free from violence and intimidation.
Observers have raised concerns about the potential for violence, particularly given the fiery rhetoric from various camps. The stakes are high for all the major contenders, and the atmosphere leading up to the election has been fraught with tension.
The assurances from the CDS and the engagement of security agencies aim to mitigate these fears, but the conduct of the election itself will ultimately determine whether the process is accepted by all parties involved.
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