The Independent National Electoral Commission
has postponed the September 10 gubernatorial election in Edo State.
Nick Dazang, spokesman for the Commission, told
PREMIUM TIMES the election would now hold on a new date no less than two
weeks from Saturday.
“We have now decided to shift the election forward for another two
weeks,” Mr. Dazang said. “We would announce a new date
within the next 24 hours.”
The postponement came a day after the police and
State Security Service announced their intention to pull out of the
exercise, citing security concerns.
After a series of consultation and initial
show of defiance, the Mahmood Yakubu-led INEC finally buckled.
Godwin Obaseki, the APC candidate, is slugging
it out with Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the PDP in the race to replace incumbent Adams
Oshiomhole whose two-term tenure expires this November.
The electoral body had initially brushed aside
concerns raised by the police and the SSS, affirming its earlier schedule.
The commission said it would not be
“teleguided”, and argued that suspending the polls would be costly after
reaching at least 97 per cent readiness level.
One source said that INEC was pressured to change
its decision.
“The SSS and the police clearly said they can’t guarantee the
security of INEC’s personnel and materials,” the source said.
SOURCE: PREMIUM TIMES
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