Edo Governorship Election 2024: APC, PDP Share Concerns as Fear of Violence Heightens

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  • The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cleared 17 parties for the Edo governorship election 2024
  • The three major political parties: the APC, PDP, and the Labour Party (LP), are widely considered the favourites to win the election
  • Stakeholders have expressed worries that politicians could deploy violence and intimidation to suppress voters in specific polling units

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Legit.ng journalist, Ridwan Adeola Yusuf, has over 9 years of experience covering politics and governance in Nigeria.

Benin City, Edo state - Peter Uwadiae, the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson in Edo, has expressed his party's readiness for the 2024 governorship election in the state, although his party are worried.

Legit.ng reports that as residents of Edo go to the polls today, Saturday, September 21, there is tension in the polity amid fears of violence breaking out.

“It Is Important for Everybody”: Police Send Message To Edo Residents Ahead of Governorship ElectionFrank Mba, the deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) in charge of security for the Edo governorship election has sent a crucial message to residents of the state.by  Adekunle Dada, 21 Sep 2024
The off-cycle election has 17 candidates vying for the exalted seat at the Dennis Osadebay House in Benin City, Edo state. Photo credits: @Aighodalo, @m_akpakomizaSource: Twitter

Tension, fear, counter-accusations herald Edo poll

Speaking to The Punch, Uwadiae levelled allegations of violent rigging plots against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He said:

“Our campaign shows our readiness. We have done that which the law allows us to do and our campaign was issue-based. As a party, I can confirm that we are ready.
"Our fear is that one of the persons who killed the police officer at the Benin Airport is roaming freely and we hear he is in Edo Central mobilising for trouble and distorting the election.”

In the same vein, while expressing readiness for the election, Pedro Obaseki, the deputy director-general of media for the PDP campaign, voiced concerns that thugs could hijack the process.

He stated:

“It has come to light that this is part of a larger strategy to compromise these materials in Oredo LGA.”
BREAKING: Nat'l Commissioner Voices Out as People Besiege INEC Office in Edo, "It Bothers Me"A top INEC official in Edo has spoken out following the presence of a crowd at an office of the agency in Oredo local government area of the south-south state.by  Ridwan Adeola, 20 Sep 2024

Read more on Edo election 2024:

Edo election: Accord Party vows to win

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, the national chairman of the Accord Party, expressed optimism that the party will win.

Mgbudem urged eligible voters in the state to come out en masse and vote for his party.