The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says its national commissioners are meeting to take a decision on the request of security agencies for the postponement of the Edo governorship election scheduled for Saturday, Nick Dazang, INEC head of publicity confirms. Having failed in their bid to convince the electorate, they are all out to use available means to buy time.
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The Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah, and an agent of the DSS, Garba Abdullahi, stated this at a press conference, explaining that the two agencies got credible intelligence that terrorists and extremists plan to carry out attacks between 12th and 13th of September.
He said that while election was important, security agencies could not allow the peace of the country to be disrupted.
Members of the public are hereby assured that the security agencies will continue to remain focused and committed and are being enjoined to remain vigilant. It is like an exam where a student can not decide what he will score; so let us be patient, ” Oni told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
“What the commission has resolved after the meeting is that it will go back and consult with the security agencies to find out the detail, because they are the ones that initiated that communication”.
Meanwhile the APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Mr Segun Oni, has said that the party would wait for INEC decision on the call for postponement of the election before making any pronouncement.
“But we have it on good authority that the other side already knows about the development and are trying as much as possible to hide it from us, so that by the time the postponement is announced, we would have outspent ourselves and you know what that means”, he said.
“Also, since morning signposts the day, I expect the INEC to be fair to all and ensure a conclusive election in Edo State to reassure Nigerians that it would get it right in 2019”.
The Senate Deputy President also called on the INEC, political parties, political elites, and the entire people of Edo State to work for the progress of the country and Edo State by ensuring a “credible, violence-free, and conclusive poll”.
In a statement yesterday, NSCDC spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh, explained that Madu is to be assisted by two assistant commandant generals in charge of Zone G (Benin) and Zone E (Owerri) with five commandants, drawn from neighbouring states.
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Idris, who was represented by DIG Joshak Habila, said the police had earlier deployed 25,000 personnel to complement those in Edo command.
