BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin City – The police in Edo State have vowed to deal decisively with any political party and its supporters that will attempt to truncate the success of the forthcoming general elections in the state.
Ed State commissioner of police, CP Mohammed Dankwara handed down the warning during the signing of 2023 elections peace accord held at Police Officers Mess, GRA, Benin City, Thursday, February 9, 2023.
“The political parties must control their aspirants, we invite them for this peace accord to hear the dos and don’ts of the election and whoever that crosses the line we would go after them no matter how highly the person is.
“All parties and their supporters have to play by the rule. Election is not a do or die affair, we should always put it at the back of our mind that whoever wins the election is part of us and Nigeria must continue to exist”, CP Dankwara stated.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), in Edo State Mr Obo Effanga reaffirmed the readiness of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct credible elections come February 25 and March 11.
“The election success depends on all of us, the people conducting the election are Nigerians, those providing logistic support, security, contesters and voters, results collators and announcers are Nigerians. If we fail in our duties and responsibility to the nation, the elections stand the risk of not being successful.
“Everyone including the political class has a role to play in ensuring that the coming election is successful by playing to the rules.
“Some of these rules are set by the law, some are set by INEC while others set by the political parties. If we breach any of this rules, it would affect the success of the election.
“As candidates, if you didn’t win the election that doesn’t mean the world should come down because your ambition has not been achieved”, The Edo REC explained.
Mr. Obo Effanga further said that INEC has committed resources and time to the election and needed the support of all Nigerians for a peaceful election.
Among parties that sign the peace accord are All Progressives Party, (APC), Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Action Alliance, Boot Party, Young Progressives Party and New Nigeria People’s Party.
The occasion organized by the state police command was attended by political stakeholders and other security agencies including the military.
