2 months ago
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The Edo Civil Society Organisations have tasked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to curtail the incidents of vote selling and buying in the September 21 governorship election in the state.
The organisations on Tuesday, urged the EFCC to take the task seriously instead of beaming their searchlight on internet fraudsters, popularly called Yahoo boys, alone.
The Coordinator-General of the group, Omobude Agho, made this call while addressing journalists in Benin ahead of the governorship election in the state.
While stating that EDOCSO was not encouraging internet fraud, Agho said that by voting the right people into power, the country would get it right which would help reduce crime in the country.
He said, “We hope that the EFCC can for once wake up to one of its major responsibilities by channelling its energy to chase after vote buyers and sellers during this election which is more of national sabotage than chasing after ‘Yahoo boys.
“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 should allow the will of the people prevail because power belongs to the people.”
Omobude said that the state is known for its vibrancy and that the continuous growth and development of the democracy rests on the collective and shared responsibility of the people, noting that it must demonstrate the will of the majority of the people and not that of a few persons in public offices.
He said the civil society being the consciousness of the society, would not allow any manipulation of the election.
He said they are going to use its network that is spread across the 18 local government areas of the state to put in place modalities to ensure all stakeholders play by the rules.
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 assurance by its actions and activities that, it is ready to conduct a free, fair and credible election in the state”
Agor faulted the recent shootings at the Benin Airport where a police officer was killed by gunmen while calling on the Inspector General of Police to investigate to know those behind the dastardly act.
He called on the various political parties in the election to focus on issues-based campaigns rather than engaging in mudslinging and verbal attacks.
