DSS/Police Call For Postponement of Edo Poll Poorly Timed, Shows Lack of Synergy

TMG Media Office

September 7, 2016

PRESS STATEMENT

DSS/Police Call For Postponement of Edo Poll Poorly Timed, Shows Lack of Synergy

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has carefully assessed the calls by two key security agencies, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department for State Security (DSS) for the postponement of the Edo State governorship election of September 10, 2016.  Given the sensitive nature of such a weighty decision, it is our considered view that the advice was poorly timed, and wrongly presented.

It is trite fact that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies have meeting forums and channels of communication. It is astonishing that INEC appears not have been taken into confidence before the security agencies came out in full glare of the public to announce its preference for a postponement. This clear interference in the electoral process by the security agencies, is a throwback to the 2015 general election, which was also postponed at the behest of the nation’s security chiefs.

TMG feels strongly that this tendency could undermine the confidence of voters and precipitate apathy and is capable of building tension in the electoral space. This could lead to electoral violence, which the security agencies are supposedly trying to prevent. Nonetheless, since it is within INEC’s purview to make the final decision and since the Commission is backed by law to postpone the elections if need be, TMG calls on voters, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to remain calm and allow INEC make the call. TMG is also of the considered view that all stakeholders in the electoral process should be patient as INEC deliberates to reach a decision, which we expect to be made diligently and in good faith.

Signed:

Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi

Chairperson, TMG