Eben Enasco Reporting
March 18, 2023, is the date set aside by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to conduct the State House of Assembly election across the Country.
It is also billed for the conduct of gubernatorial elections in some states in the Federation.
Edo state is one of the few states that will not be participating in this year’s gubernatorial elections as it has to wait until 2024.
As usual, it was time to sign the routine observance peace pact between the Political Groups and the Security agents in the state.
The aim of the gathering between the various stakeholders at the Police officer’s Mess in Benin City, Edo State, was not only to sign a peace pact but also to have an interaction that will build confidence amongst the electorates.
While the Convener, Edo State Police Commissioner on Election duty, Benjamin Okolo was assuring the stakeholders of hitch-free conduct, ahead of the Saturday, March 18, election, the major political players who attended the event said they will no longer be cowed by mere assurances.
The Chairman, of the Labor Party, LP, Edo State, Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi who was visibly unhappy with the conduct of the February 25, Presidential Election in the Country rated the Security Operatives low.
Comrade Ogbaloi noted that the labor party has become the target of the ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the All Progressive Congress, APC, ahead of the House of Assembly Election in the state.
He revealed that, in the last few days, there had been an influx of dangerous weapons and their bearers who are now lodged in some undisclosed hotels waiting to cause mayhem and disrupt the electoral process come Saturday.
Ogbaloi, however, charged the security operatives to rise to the occasion against the anticipated Security Challenges.
Earlier, the Chairman, of Edo State Inter-party Advisory Council, IPAC, Joseph Omorogbe condemned the seemingly Security lapses and urged them to build trust.
On their part, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, and the Representative of the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in the State, Comrade Curtis Ogbebor hinted how thugs were allowed to cart away with ballots box before the eyes of some security operatives who were mounted to prevent such incidents.
They argued that the House of Assembly Election in the state must be used as a measure to correct the ills of the February 25, Presidential election.
Senior officers cut across Security Agencies, and relevant stakeholders graced the occasion as political parties signed the peace accord.