Conference of Non-Governmental Organisations (CONGOs) has charged that “the arrest and intimidation of political opponents must be stopped for better electoral expression in Edo governorship election, 2024.
“Actions that negatively impact on the electoral process are inimical to the final end of the election. It entirely erodes the acceptance of the political administrative structure that emerges there from. Obedience to the government that evolves from that process is forced compliance subtly delivered.”
President of the group, Comrade (Dr) Bartholomew Okoudo, made the declaration on Friday while addressing the media to draw attention to the issues that seem to heat up the polity as the Edo State 2024 governorship elections gets closer.Â
According to him, “one of these issues is the uproar from one of the political parties that its leaders and members are being arrested and isolated by the security agencies for reasons that we cannot effectively define. The second is the use of thugs by political parties to intimidate opponents. These are issues that forewarn on the outcome of the September 21st, 2024 Gubernatorial Election in Edo State.”
Going further, Okoudo stated, “transcending Edo State, we are uncomfortable with the preponderance of post-election cases in our country even in the 21st century. This trend which deepens our inability to achieve nationhood in Nigeria significantly underpins our underdevelopment.
“It alters the credibility rating of our electoral delivery and the entire country holistically. It is the underbelly of the prevalence of nepotism in the country’s bureaucracy. It underpins the dislocation of having the right hands in the management of our public institutions. It is responsible for poor governance delivery in Nigeria.”
“The arrest and intimidation of political opponents must be stopped for better electoral expression in Edo Governorship election, 2024. Actions that negatively impact on the electoral process are inimical to the final end of the election. It entirely erodes the acceptance of the political administrative structure that emerges there from. Obedience to the government that evolves from that process is forced compliance subtly delivered.”
He charged the Inspector General of Police “to immediately release some members of the State Security Corps arrested and detained by the police in Edo State or if culpable of any crime be charge to court.”
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