As Edo State prepares for its governorship election on Saturday, the Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has urged political parties to ensure a peaceful and fair voting process.

In a statement issued Wednesday, CTA Executive Director Faith Nwadishi expressed concern over reports of potential violence and intimidation from some party supporters, based on recent stakeholder engagements.

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The CTA acknowledged the proactive stance of security agencies to protect citizens and property.

However, it stressed the need for politicians to avoid violent tactics, warning that such actions could compromise the democratic process and threaten the stability of representative government.

“Events of the past and Matters Arising Despite the preparations, events in recent past in Edo State political landscape has left much to be worried about by concerned Nigerians.

“There was reported violence among some politicians, their agents, and supporters, with each seeking supremacy with counter-accusations that have left Edo State bleeding, especially with the killing of police personnel near the Benin Airport on the 18th of July, 2024.

“According to recent reports, there has been an increase in violent conflicts, intimidation, and attacks against political opponents, which have left casualties, destroyed properties, and claimed lives. This is an undesirable trend that jeopardises the basis of our democracy.

“The CTA strongly denounces these violent activities and urges all parties involved to stop forthwith, show restraint, and eschew violence in all its ramifications, while the security agencies must act right now to stop the situation from disrupting the election.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has endorsed Asue Ighodalo as the preferred governorship candidate for the Edo Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Makinde’s endorsement was made during a ceremony marking the start of the upgrade of Samuel Ladoke Akintola Airport in Ibadan to international standards on Wednesday.

In his address, Makinde urged PDP members to fully support Ighodalo in the forthcoming Saturday election.

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Additionally, he voiced his backing for Umar Damagum, the PDP Acting National Chairman, amid uncertainties about his leadership position.

Makinde also reiterated his commitment to the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Damagum, calling on all party stakeholders to work together for the party’s success.

He said, “Tongues have been wagging about my absence at the campaign grand finale, let me declare that Seyi Makinde is 100 per cent with our candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo and if Edo people want to know the difference between delicious and nutritious, they should vote for Asue Ighodalo for them to get what is nutritious.

“And I am glad that our acting national chairman and members of his National Working Committee (NWC) are here. I read yesterday that there is another meeting in Bauchi by some NWC members, let me say clearly, I have been discussing with my brother on our way here, that we are 100 per cent in support of the Iliya Damagum-led NWC.

“Whatever decision you take, we will support you, to reposition our party. Let me also say I don’t think this is the right time, even if we have issues with ourselves, we have an important election on Saturday, so we should all rally around and deliver our candidate.”

The National Working Committee of the Labour Party, led by Julius Abure, has once again criticized Peter Obi, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, along with Abia State Governor Alex Otti and other party leaders for establishing a caretaker committee to take over the party’s leadership.

This latest criticism, detailed in a statement from National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh on Wednesday, follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) refusal to acknowledge Abure as the party’s chairman.

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The INEC had stated that Abure’s tenure as National Chairman ended in June 2024.

The statement from Ifoh accuses Obi, Otti, and other Labour Party leaders of collaborating with INEC to harm the party.

The Abure camp claims that INEC mismanaged the 2023 elections to the party’s disadvantage and questions why those affected by this mismanagement are now supporting the commission against the party.

The statement partly reads, “Every Nigerian alive today knows the ignoble role INEC played in the 2023 general election and how the electoral will of the people were dashed. It amazes us that those who suffered from this INEC’s ineptitude in 2023, are now joining forces with the Commission against the Party leadership.

“For these leaders, there is no qualms to leverage on the INEC’s standpoint of illegality to attempt to seize the leadership of the party. We sincerely want to advise these our leaders that INEC is and can never be the model on which to launch their annexation agenda.

“The 2023 saga is still fresh. In one breath, we demonised INEC, in another second, you are fraternizing with them. Is it not paradoxical that some of these leaders who were victims of INEC’s dereliction and mismanagement of the 2023 general election are now the ones quoting INEC, and joining forces with it, just to victimize the leadership of the Labour Party.

“Is it not seemingly absurd that the INEC you are embracing today and welcoming with open arms is the same INEC, which betrayed us during the last election.

“I ask, where was this loyalty when INEC failed to protect the will of the people in 2023? Let us not be fooled, my friends. INEC has not changed, and come 2027, they will once again serve you the portage with the same dish.”

Ifoh emphasized that the Federal High Court in Abuja, under Justice J.K. Omotosho, had ruled that the Labour Party’s national convention held in Nnewi on March 26, 2024, was valid and conducted according to the 2022 Electoral Act and the Labour Party Constitution.

He asserted that there is no current vacancy in the Labour Party’s leadership, stating that a new executive will not be appointed until another convention in 2028.

Recently, in a meeting organized by Governor Alex Otti and attended by Peter Obi, some elected Senators, and House of Representatives members, Senator Nenadi Usman was appointed as the Chair of a 29-member caretaker committee.

Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the immediate past Senate Minority Deputy Leader, has been appointed as the Secretary of the committee.

The leaders have stated that this committee will manage the process of electing a new party leadership within the next 90 days.