INEC, Security Operatives Will Determine Outcome Of Edo Election – Wike

The Independent National Electoral Commission and security operatives have been called on by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State to be neutral during the governorship election in Edo State.

The Rivers State Governor stated this while speaking on Channels TV, he called on the electoral body to use the September 19 election to correct its previous mistakes.

He noted that Nigeria as the giant of Africa should be seen for the free and fair electoral process.

Wike, who is the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party National Campaign Council for Edo governorship election, said the poll would be a walk-over for Governor Godwin Obaseki.

The governor in a statement released through the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim, noted that the success of the Edo election would be determined by the roles played by security agencies and INEC, saying, “This is so because they often interfere with electoral processes, which manifests as scuttling of the will of the electorate.”

He added, “I do not know if I have one hundred per cent confidence in INEC for now but maybe, as the days go on, what we will see may give us hope.”

“Nigeria prides itself to be the giant of Africa and we go to other countries to observe elections and adjudge them as free and fair. But we find it difficult to do the same here. We must show one good thing people can learn from us.”

“We want a free and fair election. INEC should not be partial. They should use this election to correct the mistakes that have been done in the past. We want to see what was done under President Goodluck Jonathan when Adams Oshiomhole went to Aso rock to thank him for allowing free and fair election in Edo State then.”

“We are appealing to President Muhammadu Buhari to direct that democracy be protected in the Edo election so that one man one vote will count. We will also go to Aso rock to thank him.”