Edo guber: INEC, police, political parties decry violence at CVR centres

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Edo State Police Command, and political parties on Friday decried the violence that has characterized the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR) in the state.

DAILY POST reports that the stakeholders condemned the violence that erupted in some wards and local governments during the ongoing continuous voters registration in the state at a meeting organized by INEC for political parties and security agencies ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Benin City.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, said the violence took place in Oredo Ward Four, Egor, and Owan West Local Government Areas.

According to him, some of the centers have been affected by shootings.

“It happened in Oredo Ward 4, Egor, and Owan West Local Government Areas. Some of our staff were affected by the violence. So, we are in this meeting to proffer solutions to this violence,” he said.

Yakubu, who said the build-up to the forthcoming governorship election had been commendable compared to the 2016 and 2020 governorship elections, called on all stakeholders in the political space of the state to provide an enabling and peaceful environment for the commission to conduct a free, fair, and credible election.

“We heard of violence in Oredo and Owan West local governments. A political party has also complained about the activities of the Edo State Security Networks. Violence is an ill wind that does nobody any good. In 2016 and 2020, there was violence in Edo. We hope that this year’s election will be peaceful. The Commissioner of Police in the state said he has spoken to their commander about the complaints against the personnel,” he stated.

The INEC chairman, who noted that the major challenge of the commission was the non-collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) by registered voters, appealed to political parties to ensure that they mobilize their supporters to collect their PVCs as they had earlier mobilized them to register.

In his remarks, the State Chairman of PDP, Dr. Anthony Aziegbemi, alleged that the violence was perpetuated by a particular political party, which he did not mention.

“The shooting at Idia College registration center a few days ago is very bad. We want the police and INEC to arrest and bring the perpetrators to justice. If those responsible for the violence are not arrested and brought to book, more violence will continue in the state,” he added.

On his part, a representative of the Accord Party called on INEC and the police to call the personnel of Edo State Security Networks to order. He said the state-owned security outfit should not be allowed to participate in the election.

Also in his remarks, the State Chairman of APC, Jarrett Tenebe, alleged that the only areas where violence took place are where the governor and Speaker of the State House of Assembly came from.

“Places where this violence took place are Oredo Ward 4 and Owan West Local Government Areas. We are talking about Edo State Security Networks; they should not be allowed to be part of the election.

The security networks are armed. They are the only security outfit that is armed apart from the police, civil defense, and others. The violence happened in Ward 4, which is the state governor’s ward, and Owan West, where the Speaker of the State House of Assembly comes from,” he stated.

In his remarks, the State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye, noted that there have been accusations and counter-accusations regarding the violence at some registration centers in the state.

Adegboye, who said he had a meeting with the commander of the security networks in the state, vowed that anybody caught committing any form of violence would be arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.