Edo poll: CSOs demands neutrality, warn against vote-buying

As the September 21 governorship election in Edo State draws near, the state Civil Society Organisations, has called for neutrality in the poll even as they asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to prevent the selling and buying of votes.

The Coordinator-General of the group, Omobude Agho, made the call while addressing journalists in Benin.

He said, “We hope that the EFCC can wake up to one of its major responsibilities by channeling its energy to chase after vote buyers and sellers during this upcoming election.

“I urged the security agencies not to make themselves a willing tool in the hands of any of the political parties participating in the forthcoming governorship election with the intent to rig it but they should allow the will of the people to prevail because power belongs to the people,” Agho said.

According to him, Edo State is known for its vibrancy and its continuous growth and development rests on the collective and shared responsibility of the people.

He added, “We shall ensure that this election is done in the most tranquil and transparent circumstances where nobody, however, highly placed, is allowed to truncate the will of the people.

“We, therefore, insist that the Independent National  Electoral Commission give Edo people an assurance by its actions and activities that, it is ready to conduct a free, fair and credible election in the state.”