By; RALPH OKHIRIA, Benin.
The European Union (EU) and British Council have sued for the peaceful conduct of the postponed Edo State governorship election which has been rescheduled for Wednesday, September 28.
They appealed to all critical stakeholders, including the INEC and the security agencies to prepare well for the new date.
The EU and British Council which are among the 44 foreign and local observers accredited by INEC for the election, also called for an increase in communication between the political actors, security agencies and the INEC.
“Our concern is that the elections on the 28th of September are held peacefully, conclusive and credible. And that all the institutions, the parties, INEC, the police and other security agencies do everything they can to make sure the people of Edo can decide who the next governor would be.
“We members of the international community are very keen and sure that the 28 of September should be peaceful, free and fair and should be supported.
“I think the important thing is that the institutions
prepare themselves for the new date and tensions are coming there is some tension we have seen them ourselves,” Mr Ben James of the British Council, said.
On his part, Young of the EU said, “It is important that the people respect leadership and the leadership preaches peace. Peace is very important that people realise that we build up to 28th, with peace in mind and the election is held in a peaceful environment.
“We came here to discuss the postponement of the
governorship election and to make a number of
appeals for the increased contact with the political
parties and INEC and the police and the security
agencies. They should ensure that a careful ground is laid for the election to take place smoothly and calmly in a democratic and credible on Wednesday 28th of September.” he said.
Also speaking, the APC candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki stated that his belief has always been that “there is no election that is worth the pint of blood of any Nigerian citizen because you can’t be killing the people you want to govern.
“So for them (The EU and British Council) and me, we are on the same page that whatever is required to have a peaceful election is what we ensure and insist on,” he stated.
On the postponement of the poll, he stated that “It is not convenient, we have spent so much of time, people have traveled in to come and vote.
“It is not convenient, but that is where we have found ourselves, we are okay with it if that is going to protect lives and property. We have to live with that no matter the cost”, he added.
Mr. Obaseki, however alleged that some of his supporters were attacked in the early hours of Friday in Okpella, Etsako East local government area of the state, by thugs suspected to be loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party.
