•Police deploy 31,000 personnel, vow to deal with lawbreakersAdibe Emenyonu and Chuks Okocha in Benin, Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja
Fear of violence is palpable, but the police and other security agencies have assured voters of maximum security. Indeed, every nook and cranny of the state is heavily policed. IG Adamu had, during a stakeholders meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission in Benin last Monday, disclosed that no fewer than 31,000 personnel had been deployed for today’s election.
Also yesterday, the police asked the people of Edo State to return home immediately after voting rather than wait for the counting of the ballot. The DIG urged the candidates who signed the peace accord to make sure that they abide by the terms of the agreement.President Muhammadu Buhari has equally advised political parties, candidates and security agents to behave responsibly during the Edo election.
A statement quoted him as speaking yesterday after a one-day prayer and fasting session for a peaceful election, organised by the Edo Christian Community for all the governorship candidates ahead of the election. “Election should not be one in which we shed blood because the election will always come. If you die in an election, you will not be there in the next one to vote. So, there is no need for violence.
Addressing journalists at an emergency press conference, The National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus said while Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo state and the deputy senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege were lodged in the Benin home of Adams Oshiomhole, PDP governors were being harassed in their hotels.
The PDP claimed Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State was prevented from leaving his hotel in Benin City.In a statement, Akawor Desmond, Chairman of Rivers PDP, said over 300 policemen had laid siege to the hotel where the governor is staying. “May I on behalf of entire Rivers people warn that we shall hold the IGP responsible for anything that happens to our Governor.”The Transition Monitoring Group , in collaboration with the Edo State Civil Society Organisations , yesterday called on the federal government to set up Electoral Malpractices Mobile Court to deal with electoral offenders.