The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said there will not be any restriction of movement ahead of the state’s Local Government Area election scheduled for Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Obaseki promised of safe passage of commuters transiting within and through the state.
He said this while briefing journalists on Thursday, after the state Security Council meeting held at the Government House, in Benin City, the state capital.
The governor, who assured the people of adequate security during the election, urged voters to come out en masse to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates. He noted that the state would be very peaceful as all security agencies would be on the ground to protect the electorate.
According to him, “We reviewed the security situation, beginning with the forthcoming September 2 local government election in Edo State. The local government election will be held on Saturday and one unique thing about the election is that movement is not restricted. People will be allowed to go about their normal activities after voting. Movement within the state and commuters going through the state will not be restricted.
“The security must be high. That is why we have met with the various security agencies to look at their readiness and preparedness for the election.
“From the level of mobilisation, we have seen what is happening across the parties and believe that there is quite a considerable level of sensitisation. People will come out to vote. My advice is that as they come out to vote, they should do it peacefully. Election is not war.
“Enough preparation has been made to secure the people so that they can go to the polling unit, vote and go home. If they need to come back and wait for the votes to be counted and the election declared, they can also do so, but it must be peaceful.”
The state Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dankwara, said security agencies are prepared and ready for the local government election, noting, “We are prepared for the election and we are all on the same page with our sister security agencies and surely the election will be very peaceful.”
