Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday in Benin expressed his displeasure over the shootings that characterized the Commission’s Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) exercise at Oredo ward 4, Egor and other centres in the local government areas of Edo State.
The INEC Chairman who made his feelings known at a meeting with the leadership of the various political parties and other security agencies in the state, held at the Edo state’s headquarters of the commission however emphasized the commission’s commitment to ensure a free and fair election in Edo state.
According to Mahmood, such shootings were uncalled for and it is only the people that have the right to decide who governs them, therefore, their rights must be well protected and they should not be prevented from obtaining their voters card that would enable them participate in the exercise.
He reassured the people of Edo state that the commission is poised to conduct free, fair and credible elections in the state.
He also assured the political leaders and security agencies that the outcome of the September 21 governorship election would be a reflection of the people’s choice.
Mahmood who reiterated his previous experiences in the conducts of two conservative governorship elections in the state (2016 and 2020 and how they were postponed due to violence, said that this forthcoming governorship election had earlier started in a good note but wondered why the reported pockets of crises here and there at this point in time.
He also said that the commission is going to rely on resources from the neighbouring states to make up for the facilities that were destroyed by the recent flood that submerged its building in the state.
Yakubu, however , did not yield to the call in some quarters that the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) be extended from the 10 days allocated to it.
He said that daily reports from the exercise showed that the majority of those registering were young people mostly students.
Speaking also, the Edo State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Tony Aziegbemi said the state Commissioner of Police Funsho Adegboye, should carry out his investigation and bring those who went about shooting at the various CVR centres to book.
He said that, that is the only way to nip such an action in its bud adding that failure to do so now, the possibility of guaranteeing free, fair and credible elections in the state is very slim.
Dr. Aziegbemi also called on the INEC to extend the time for the CVR exercise in the state to cover up for the number of days that the CVR machines have suffered some technical hitches.
On the part of the state All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, while commending the INEC for their job well done in the state, alleged that the places where the shootings were recorded were the strongholds of the ruling party moreso, the people that are allowed to bear arms in the state are the local vigilante who are recognized by the state government.
He however appealed to those concerned to look into it and know where to lay their blame.
Speaking also, the state Commissioner of Police Funsho Adegboye, said that the police and its sister agencies are ready to provide a level playing ground for all the political parties in the state, therefore, the parties involved must play the game according to its rules.
He said that the police will not spare anyone bearing arms, stressing that anyone caught will be dealt with accordingly.
CP Adegboye added that political parties should make the job of policing in the forthcoming governorship election easy for them be playing the game according to its lay down rules just as he said that they are not happy when some of the political parties are saying that they have been planted in by some individuals or political parties.
Earlier, the Edo State Resident Electoral Commission (REC), Dr Anugbum Onuoha said that the INEC chairman, Mahmood Yakubu is in the state to have first hand information from the leadership of the various political parties in the state.
“This meeting was called because of the happenings especially on security matters.
“Some of the centres have been affected by shootings, like Oredo ward 4, Egor and many other local governments.
“Some of our staff have been affected by these shootings. So, it is important that we interact with these security agencies and see how we can prefer solutions”, Onuoha said.
•INDEPENDENTNG.