Edo: CSO’s protest, petition British High Commissioner over heightening violence
The Coalition of Civil Society Groups for Good Governance and Electoral Matters on Wednesday staged a protest in Abuja against the growing threats of violence by partisans ahead of the September 19 Governorship election in Edo state.
The protesters led by Comrade Adamu Kabir Matazu, Convener and Comrade Danesi Momoh Prince, Co-Convener also addressed a petition to the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Amb. Catriona Laing C.B, urging her to intervene and “help the will of the people to prevail”.
While they wielded placards with various inscriptions including ‘INEC, make Edo votes count’, ‘Edo people deserve peace’, ‘We will not sleep until there is a peaceful election’ among others, the protesters lamented that 39 days to the polls, activities of political players have unfortunately heightened security challenges in the State, with women and children particularly affected.
“Your Excellency, we request that you prevail on the Federal Government to implement coherent security strategy to ensure the elections are free, fair and represent the true will of the people”, they stated.
The coalition noted that the nation was “beginning to witness an unprecedented level of verbal and physical attacks on the Governor of Edo State, His Excellency Governor Godwin Obaseki, his Deputy, and their supporters. Of particular note was the attack on Governor Godwin Obaseki and his campaign entourage by political thugs and hoodlums. It is important to note that this is the third time that an attempt would be made to attack or intimidate the Governor and Chief Security Officer of Edo State, whose core mandate it is to protect the lives and property of residents of the state”.
The protesters also asked the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC “not to allow itself to be pressured into postponing the election, or conniving to have an inconclusive election”.
