Against the warning by the police and DSS calling for postponement, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted that the Edo State governorship election, scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 10, will go on as planned. The police and the DSS had issued a joint statement calling for the shift based on credible intelligence at their disposal, which suggested that insurgents were planning to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets with high population during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between September 12 and 13.
But INEC Commissioner in charge of Voter Education and Publicity, Solomon Soyebi, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City, Edo state capital said the election would hold as scheduled.
The agencies reminded the public that similar threats were issued during the May 1, Labour Day and Democracy Day, May 29, celebrations as well as the Eid-el-Fitr holidays in July, 2016 adding that Edo State is amongst the states being earmarked for these planned attacks.
“The security agencies were able to decisively disrupt and thwart the insurgents’ plan. In the same vein, while election is important, the security agencies cannot allow the peace of the country to be disrupted, and we will continue to remain vigilant and ensure consolidation of the successes gained in the current counter-insurgency fight,” the security agencies stated.
“It is in regard of these that we are appealing to INEC which has the legal duty to regulate elections in the country to consider the need for possible postponement of the date of the election in Edo State, in order to enable security agencies deal decisively with the envisaged terrorist threats.
“While the Police/DSS remain mindful of the inconveniences this request may cause the various political stakeholders, it is our strong resolve that security agencies need not be distracted from ensuring a peaceful and secured Nigeria now and always.
“Members of the public are hereby assured that the security agencies will continue to remain focused and committed and are being enjoined to remain vigilant. The attention of the security agencies should be drawn to any observed unusual movements or actions by groups or individuals in their neighbourhoods.”
