Edo 2020: Connecting The Dots
In Edo state,this Election time is usually a period of tension and uncertainties both for the electorates and candidates vying for different political positions.
In African countries for instance, election is filled with violence and in extreme cases, death.
Nigeria is not left out in election violence as many electorates suffer one trauma or the other during election.
Edo State is one of the states in Southern Nigeria and holding governorship election on 19th September 2020.
The events surrounding the election proper for some months have been violent, especially verbal battle among candidates.
The heavy contenders are the All Progressive Congress(APC) candidate, Ize-Iyamu Osagie Andrew and People’s Democratic Party(PDP) candidate, Obaseki Godwin who is the Present governor.
The uncertainties surrounding the election pushed the Oba of Benin to invite the candidates for peaceful talk in his palace on August 8th 2020. The Oba said that the palace is not happy with the recent happenings in the state. In his statement, he enjoined everyone in the state to pray for a peaceful election in the state.
Ahead of the election, the state government has declared Friday, September 18th work free day to enable the citizens travel to their various constituencies and exercise their franchise. The president, Muhammadu Buhari encouraged the people of Edo State to have a free and fair election. The President told them to avoid any form of violence.
Speaking ahead of the election, the state governor, and PDP candidate Mr. Godwin Obaseki said his second term ambition is not worth spilling the blood of anyone. The governor encouraged everyone eligible to participate in the election.
It is to be recalled that the governor, Godwin Obaseki won the 2016 governorship election under the APC while his opponent then who was also his strong opponent contested under PDP.
Now both have switched parties and this may be the reason for the bitter rivalry visibly present among the two candidates. They have become respective flag bearers of the parties they opposed in the last governorship election of 2016.
While some are not happy with the present administration, a good number of Edo Citizens want the present administration of Obaseki to complete his eight years tenure. Some are already expressing great fears that the election may not be transparent.
There are many doubts about the election by the masses and how ready is the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) in conducting a free and fair election? INEC said that all sensitive materials needed for Edo State governorship election of Saturday has left the custody of Central Bank of Nigeria in Benin City to the various local government areas. In the same development, the Police Service Commission has dispatched a high powered Surveillance team to monitor the Police men on electoral duties.
The electorates still have a greater role to play in any electioneering process.
Nigeria as a sovereign nation will soon celebrate 60 years of Independence and we have to start doing things the right way especially in voting processes. In exercising their franchise, electorates should avoid all evil and corrupt means. No citizens’ life is worth losing in any election.
We have seen cases where electorates help to perform all forms of malpractice on election ground all in the name of money.
Remember that if the wrong hands get into political power, the masses suffer. It is time for the people of Edo State to make that positive change as the world is watching.
