About three days before the governorship election in Edo State, a socio-political group, Edo Collectives, has warned against importing thugs into the state.
The Edo State governorship election is slated for Saturday, 21st September 2024.
There are concerns that the exercise will turn violent following reports of the influx of thugs into the state.
However, in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday, the Edo Collectives “warned that any thug that is coming to disrupt the election would regret his action”.
The Secretary of the group, Musa Osagie, who signed the statement, noted that there are reports that the All Progressives Congress, APC, has imported thugs from Kogi and Imo States.
“The people of Edo State are determined to elect who will govern them and thugs will not be allowed to disrupt the election.
“Those that want to subvert the will of the people by importing thugs into Edo State will not get away with it. The votes of the people must count,” the statement added.
The group further insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, must ensure a level playing field for all participants in the governorship election.
“Edolites are prepared to ensure that their votes count and will ensure the protection of their votes,” Osagie stressed.
The group called on INEC and the police to ensure a free and fair election.
According to report the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, refused to sign the Peace Accord ahead of the governorship poll.
Edo Guber: PDP declines as APC, other parties sign Peace Accord
The PDP hinged the decision on the arrest and detention of some of their members by the Police. The PDP governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, had declared that the party would only sign the Peace Accord if the arrested members were released.
However, the APC and 16 other political parties signed the Peace Accord on Thursday, 12th September 2024 in Benin City.
