The Transition Monitoring Group, a coalition of 400 civil society organisations, has said the presence of governors from other states in Ondo State ahead of the Saturday governorship election is a threat to peaceful and credible poll.
The election observer group condemned the presence of the governors in the state, saying such should no longer be tolerated.
The Chairman TMG, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi said this at a pre-election press briefing on Friday.
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She said the governors could take the advantage of their immunity to engage in malpractices like vote-buying, intimidation and sponsorship of political violence.
She said, “TMG condemns the practice of governors from other states that have “invaded”Ondo state and refused to leave after campaign has ended. These governors who travelled and sponsored their political expedition with the meagre resources of their states may constitute threat to free and fair election by taking advantage of their immunity to be involved in election malpractice like vote buying, intimidation of security operatives and sponsorship of political violence. All invading governors should leave since campaign has ended.
“Since the beginning of electioneering, the three major political parties, APC, PDP and ZLP have been involved in promoting political banditry, violence and reprisal, allegations and counter – allegations, vote buying and voters inducement at different levels and in varied forms. This action is illegal as it flouts electoral law. This has raised political tension in the state until few days to election when more security personnel were deployed to keep peace. TMG condemns this desperation for power by political parties as it undermines the fundamental tenet of democracy which is free choice.
“TMG appeals to political parties and candidates to translate their agreement to observe peace by consenting to sign peace accord into practice through maintenance of order and observe all the rules governing elections during and after the polls. Election should not be a do or die affair if the purpose is to serve and not to loot the treasury. We demand for the establishment of Electoral Offences Mobile Courts in future to deal with electoral offenders with dispatch on the day of election.
“Eight hotspots have been projected by the TMG’s observers in local government areas at the end of the meeting held today, October 8, 2020. These are Akoko South East, Ilaje, Oke-Igbo / Ile Oluji, Akoko South West, Owo, Idanre, Akure South, Ese Odo local government areas. We are aware that Police will be deploying 33,000 officers for election duty in the state. This is more than total police strength of some countries. So, the police force and other security agencies cannot afford to fail in ensuring violence – free, peaceful election by conducting themselves peacefully and professionally without bias.”
She said despite the violence recorded before more security personnel were deployed, the group believed voter turn- out on Saturday would be impressive because most people the group interviewed showed enthusiasm to participate in the poll.