Edo Civil Society Organisations on Friday urged the safety businesses deployed for the September 21 governorship election to keep up neutrality earlier than, throughout, and after the election.
The group made the decision throughout a rally on the Edo State Police Command headquarters and the Division of State Companies workplace in Benin.
Addressing the Commissioner of Police, Nemi Edwin-Iwo, on the command throughout an occasion titled “Safety Companies, Keep Impartial in This Edo Governorship Election #EyesOnTheBall”, the Coordinator Normal of the group, Comrade Omobude Agho, emphasised the significance of the election to the individuals of the state.
He urged the police and different businesses to chorus from being utilized by any political social gathering to intimidate others.
Agho said that undue harassment and intimidation of political opponents by safety businesses below the affect of a political social gathering would discourage potential voters from popping out to train their proper to vote on election day.
He stated, “We’re calling on the safety businesses deployed for the September 21 governorship election to stay impartial earlier than, throughout, and after the election.
“The state had been very peaceable till the unlucky incident on the Benin Airport, the place a police officer was shot lifeless.
“The individuals of the state need their votes to depend, to not be overshadowed by violence. The police can guarantee this by adhering to the principles of the sport.”
On the a part of the state Commissioner of Police, CP Nemi Edwin-Iwo assured that the Edo State Police Command, below his management, would all the time stay impartial as they don’t align with any political social gathering.
He added, “I need to guarantee you that the Nigeria Police and different safety businesses are impartial. We are going to be sure that this election is carried out in a peaceable ambiance,” Edwin-Iwo stated.
“I’ve been concerned in elections in Kogi, Imo, and Bayelsa, and the information converse for themselves. We had been very impartial in these elections and emerged with out blemish.
“Any claims on the contrary are unfounded, as we have now a mandate to make sure that this election is correctly carried out.
“Whereas it’s true that the police and different safety businesses have their shortcomings, I guarantee you that every thing might be streamlined earlier than the election.”
The Commissioner of Police additional appealed to the civil society group to assist sensitise the general public to come back out in giant numbers to forged their votes for his or her most well-liked candidate, including that the police can solely arrest these concerned in legal actions.