This is why INEC postponed Edo election

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has given reasons for postponing Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state, after it released a statement earlier on Thursday that it would go ahead with the election as planned.

According to Premium Times the commission postponed the election due to a better appraisal of the report from the security agencies.

The commission had said earlier on Thursday that postponing an election it was already 97 per cent ready for would be too costly.

The police and the DSS released a joint statement on Wednesday advising INEC to postpone the election as it had security report that insurgents were planning to cause mayhem in the state during the Sallah celebrations.

The spokesperson of INEC, Nick Dazang, said the election was postponed following explanations from the security agencies.

He said, “It was only as at this evening that we were officially communicated and they explained to us the challenges they had that would affect their capacity to secure the election.

“Before then, we were hearing just like any other person from the media that they were advising us to postpone. And as a responsible organisation, we did not think there was any way we could proceed on that basis.”

The spokesperson said that its earlier decision to go ahead with the election was due to the assurance it got from security agencies during a stakeholders forum held in Benin city.

“Don’t forget that the story started trending that we were advised to postpone the election as we were conducting the stakeholders forum in Benin.

“The Police and the SSS were represented there, at the highest level. The DIG operations represented the IG and he was telling the stake holders, at the full glare of reporters, that they would secure the environment for the election.

“That was the reason for the initial stand. Those that gave the assurance were far higher than those who issued the statement. So if the IG is saying one thing and a much lower person is saying another, who should we follow?” he queried.

Dazang said the security agencies explained that if the election was held they would be overstretched.

“They explained that going ahead with the election would over stretch them and that giving the situation, it was crucial for them to ensure the protection of voters, as well as our staff.

“You know we are not in a position to secure our staff. And we do not want to put them in harm’s way,” he added.

Edo state governor Adams Oshiomhole has expressed his disappointment at the postponement while the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its officials condemned the postponement.

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