Group Demands Credible, Conclusive Polls In Edo

In a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, convener of the NNG, Mr. Jacob Edi, noted that the Edo state election is a further test of the commitment of the INEC to the principle of “One Man, One Vote,” and how serious the electoral commission is poised to free, fair and credible elections in the country.

Edi said that with the milestone achieved by the 2015 general election, what every patriotic Nigerian demands is building on the process and not the unfortunate development of inconclusive polls, and artful connivance of the electoral body with the ruling elite to deny the people of their proper mandate.

The statement reads: “The Edo state governorship election slated for September 28, 2016 is a further test not just for the ruling APC government, but also for the INEC, DSS, Police and other security organs in the country.

“It is our hope in the NNG that the INEC will adhere to the principle of Man, One Vote and should see the Edo election as a golden opportunity to disappoint the naysayers.

“If the INEC gets it wrong in Edo, it signposts a dangerous precedent that nothing good can be achieved in the foreseeable future concerning the electoral process and this will mean that Nigerians cannot freely choose those to govern them.

“We also implore the security agencies to be above board and shun any orders that stand in contradistinction to their pledge to serve Nigeria faithfully and not those bent on skewing the process for their own selfish reason.”

The NNG also appealed to the political parties and other stakeholders to support the electoral commission to ensure that the election is successful.

The group urged the Edo people to resist any act of intimidation and vote rigging by ensuring that all votes are announced at each of the collation booths.

The NNG is a non-governmental, non-partisan, non-religious organization centered on citizen’s advocacy for participatory democracy.