The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday said it
will go ahead with the Edo State governorship elections against the advise
of Nigerian security agencies.
The Nigeria Police and Department of State Services (DSS) had advised INEC
to postpone the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, September
10, 2016 in Edo state.
The two security agencies said the advise was based on credible
intelligence at its disposal, which suggests that insurgents are planning
to attack vulnerable communities and soft targets, with high population
during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations between 12th and 13th
September.
The agencies said Edo State is amongst the states being earmarked for
these planned attacks.
In a joint statement, the agencies reminded the public that similar
threats were issued during the May 1, Labour Day and Democracy Day, May
29, celebrations as well as the Eid-el-Fitr holidays in July, 2016.
The statement further adds that “the security agencies were able to
decisively disrupt and thwart the insurgents’ plan. In the same vein,
while election is important, the security agencies cannot allow the peace
of the country to be disrupted, and we will continue to remain vigilant
and ensure consolidation of the successes gained in the current
counter-insurgency fight.
“It is in regard of these that we are appealing to INEC which has the
legal duty to regulate elections in the country to consider the need for
possible postponement of the date of the election in Edo State, in order
to enable security agencies deal decisively with the envisaged terrorist
threats”, they said.