The Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Barrister Samson Itodo has said that political actors in Edo State are preparing for a showdown.
He also said that Thursday’s Peace Accord boycott by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) might impair voters’ turnout in the state’s governorship poll on 21 September.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday night, Itodo said that, in the buildup to the election, activities of cult groups in the state had increased.
He therefore called on the security agencies to remain impartial.
Itodo urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy people of impeccable character to manage the election.
He said: “We have an increase in the activities of cult groups in the buildup to the election. We have seen attacks on political candidates and supporters. We have seen destruction at party rallies.
“These pre-election signs clearly demonstrate that the political actors are not preparing for elections on 21 September; they are preparing for showdown; they are preparing for war.
“This is where our security agencies including INEC as a stakeholder need to put the interest of the people first. If the voters in Edo don’t feel a secure environment will be provided on September 21, they will not come out to cast their votes; they will not show up. If this happens, we deny the people of Edo the opportunity to exercise their franchise.
“We are calling on the political actors on both sides of the divide to put the interest of their state first by complying with the rules of the game.
“Security operatives should handle the election in an impartial, transparent and democratic approach. That way, they can inspire confidence in the stakeholders. Those to manage the election should be individuals of impeccable character”.
On the decision of the ruling party in the state, the PDP, to shun the Peace Accord, Itodo said: “What has happened today will further escalate the tension.
“When you have this crisis of confidence, you just give voters so much fear that their votes will not count next week”.
“There is a crisis of confidence in Edo State as it stands. The stage has been set for all forms of post-election disputes”.
He said the peace committee should lower the temperature of tension in the state and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun should call the stakeholders to a meeting and address their concerns.
