By Imelda Osayande
As Edo prepares for the September 21 governorship election, stakeholders are intensifying efforts to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful poll.
The election has attracted global attention, with various stakeholders, including the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), partnering to eliminate vote buying.
Many observers of developments in Nigeria’s political space blame some challenges facing credible election on poor voter education as many Nigerians are ignorant of the implications of some of their political decisions and actions.
Such actions include auctioning their votes and tacitly encouraging vote buying, violence and apathy.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Information is responsible for public enlightenment. One area its service is needed most, according to observers in politics.
As the Edo governorship election approaches, the agency, through its Director in the state says it has stepped up public enlightenment against vote buying and selling.
Mr Osahon Woghiren, at an enlightenment programme in Benin described vote trading as a “trending vice” in the political system.
He urged politicians to always play by the rules of the game which many Nigerians derisively regard as dirty and citizens to exercise their civic responsibilities.
The NOA official, therefore, urged traditional and religious leaders, civil societies, market women, non-governmental organisations among others to mobilise the people towards as the quest for a free and credible election in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has always come under scrutiny before, during and after elections.
Many Nigerians place the success or failure of any election in the country on the door steps of the electoral umpire alleging its conspiracy with politicians to subvert the will of the people.
INEC was co-defendant in multitudes of election-related litigations from the governorship up to the presidency level. Although it has always pleaded innocent but the allegations have refused to go away, sticking to commission like glue.
Where media claim of innocence has not worked, the electoral umpire has resorted to legal approach with attendant huge budget outlay.
Ahead of the 2023 presidential, National Assembly and governorship elections, INEC budgeted three billion to defend its actions and inactions in court.
According to media reports, there were over 100 election petitions filed by aggrieved candidates and their parties across the country with most of them pointing accusing fingers at INEC.
But, ahead of the Edo election, INEC, through one of its officials, Dedekuma Emmanuel, has assured that the commission was ready for a free and fair election.
Another key stakeholder in voter education and mobilisation in the country is the civil society group
Jude Obasnami, of Josemaria Trust, a civil society organisation said that politicians have devised new methods of vote buying, emphasising the need for intensified sensitization by civil society groups and other stakeholders.
He urged a partnership that would foster citizens’ confidence in the electoral process and ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Edo State.
The Edo Civil Society Organizations (EDOCSO) urging political parties to pivot towards issue-based politics, rather than resorting to mudslinging and verbal attacks, for a peaceful poll.
Comrade Omobude Agho, Coordinator-General of the group said verbal attacks coul breed bloody violence and eternal hate among supporters..
“We shall ensure that this election is done in the most tranquil and transparent circumstances where nobody, however highly placed he may be shall not be allowed to truncate the will of the people this time around”, he said.
EDOCSO also tasked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to beam its searchlights on vote buyers and sellers.
According to Mr Festus Alenkhe, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, journalists play a major role in ensuring a transparent and accountable electoral process.
He reminded journalists of their constitutional obligations to scrutinize INEC and security commandants.
“Journalists have a critical role to play in ensuring that the election is free, fair, and peaceful.
“We must scrutinise INEC and security commandants to ensure that they carry out their duties without bias”, he said.
He reminded them of their constitutional obligations, as outlined in Chapter 2, Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers them scrutinise INEC.
“It is our responsibility to interrogate the umpire whose constitutional responsibility is to conduct elections at both national and state levels’’, he said.
The Benin branch NBA chairman, Mr Idemudia Iredia-Osifo, is confident that the people of Edo can pull a free, fair, and peaceful poll.
According to Osifo-Iredia, Edo State has structures in place to ensure the election meets the expectations of all stakeholders.
“The will of the people is the first structure, and I’m pleased to say that there is sufficient voter sensitization and awareness, which has been well managed by the State government,” he said. ”
“The citizens of Edo State have continually yearned for free and fair elections, and it is the responsibility of the police and other security apparatus to ensure the process is not compromised”, Osifo-Iredia said.
He recognised the critical role of the police if the Edo dream election will be a reality and the role of the Inspector-General of Police in actualiding that dream.
“We expect him to continue his good work and ensure a hitch-free process. Edolites know how to choose their Governors; this one will not be different,” he said.
Mrs. Violet Orumwese, Edo Chairman of International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) called for a peaceful and violence-free gubernatorial election.
“FIDA is committed to sensitising women to vote without fear of violence, not to sell their votes, or allow their voter cards to be bought.” Orumwese said.
However, the Nigerian Army 4 Brigade and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have expressed their readiness to partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to ensure a free, fair, and credible election.
During a courtesy visit by the Edo NUJ leadership to the security agencies’ offices in Benin, the Commander of the 4 Brigade, Brigadier General Ebenezer Oduyebo, emphasized the importance of collaboration with journalists to ensure a smooth electoral process.
He assured the NUJ that the military is apolitical and committed to protecting lives and property, and appealed to journalists to report any issues directly to the Command.
The NSCDC Commandant, Gbenga Joseph Agun, outlined the agency’s plans to station personnel at strategic locations, including banks and telecommunications masts, to ensure the protection of critical infrastructure and prevent disasters.
The Chairman, Inter-party Advisory Committee (IPAC), Dr Greg Igbinomwanhia, wants political parties to play by the rules.
With few days before the Edo election, stakeholders are collaborating to ensure a free, fair, and credible and violent free election.
They are committed to promoting peaceful and democratic elections, eliminating vote buying, and ensuring transparency and accountability in the electoral process.
Their hard work will only be complete if at the end of the day the election turns out to be what they want it to be.
Edo has the opportunity to set the example to the larger Nigerian society on how best to organise and participate in an election. It is time for Edo to demonstrate that it is indeed the pace setter. (NANFeature)