In preparation for the upcoming Edo State Local Government Area (LGA) elections scheduled for Saturday, September 2, 2023, Governor Godwin Obaseki has announced that there will be no restrictions on movement within the state. He assured commuters traveling through the state of safe passage.
Governor Obaseki made this announcement after the State Security Council meeting held at the Government House in Benin City, the Edo State capital. During the briefing, he emphasized the importance of security during the elections and urged voters to turn out in large numbers to cast their ballots for their preferred candidates.
The governor emphasized that adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful election. All security agencies are fully prepared to protect the electorate and maintain a secure environment.
In his words, Governor Obaseki stated, “The security must be high. That is why we have met with the various security agencies to look at their readiness and preparation for the election. From the level of mobilization, we have seen what is happening across the parties and believe that there is quite a considerable level of sensitization. People will come out to vote.”
He further urged the voters to exercise their civic duty peacefully, emphasizing that elections should not be treated as acts of war. “Enough preparation has been made to secure the people so that they can go to the polling unit, vote, and go home,” he stated.
The Edo State Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Dankwara, also affirmed the readiness of security agencies for the local government elections, stating, “We are prepared for the election, and we are all on the same page with our sister security agencies, and surely the election will be very peaceful.”
With these assurances from the governor and the commissioner of police, Edo State residents can look forward to a safe and peaceful local government election on September 2, 2023, with no restrictions on movement within the state.