Edo 2024: CSO open situation room, worry over security, likely inducement
By Ozioruva Aliu
BENIN CITY – AHEAD of the Edo State off-cycle governorship election, a civil society organisation – Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI) on Friday opened its situation room in Benin City to monitor the election where it also expressed concern over security situations in the state and likely vote buying.
KDI also predicted a low turnout during the election, saying the turnout may not surpass that of the 2020 election but may not be less than 20 per cent of PVC collected.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting which was attended by the European Union Election Observation team, civil society organisations, and the media ahead of the governorship election. Head of Research and Strategy, KDI, Olufwafemi Adebayo said a lot of factors may likely determine the outcome of the election.
He noted that politicians may use the instrument of hardship to lure the people through vote buying, which according to him may subvert the will of the people.
“As you can see, inflation is high in the country, so what this means is that M2,000 will mean a lot to some people. Politicians may use this as an instrument. Vote buying does not make an election reflect the will of the people. It subverts the will of the people.
He added: “So, one thing we are saying is that, in tomorrow’s election, law enforcement agencies – the EFCC, ICPC, the Nigeria Police, the NSCDC should put an eye to this regard,” he stressed.
On the likely turn out of voters, Adebayo said: “We may not have a turnout that surpasses the last election in the state. But we are also thinking from our data and some of the analysis we have done, it won’t be lower than 20 per cent.
“But in all, we are saying the Edo people should come out and vote for the candidate of their choice. Election is a civil affair, so they should be part of those who will decide who will lead them. This is about their future.”
On the security situation in the state, the KDI head of research said: “There have been issues of violence apparently in the state. The environment is tense. But ironically, non-electoral violence is even more than electoral violence, and it does have implications on the election.”
He appealed to the over 35, 000 security personnel deployed to the state for the election to play by the rule by ensuring that election materials and the electorate are secured and not intimidated
“The presence of security agencies is to help to secure the election and not to intimidate the voter,” he noted.
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