Come Saturday being the 19th day of September, 2020 the electorate of Edo state will hopefully choose who will govern their state for next four years. However, one insists that come tomorrow there must be credible elections free from Electoral violence and Vote buying in Edo state.
In my observation, there are two most undesirable things in our present political space being Elections violence and Vote -buying which have come to dominate its in the recent past, although the issues have been with us for quite sometimes, but its escalation in the recent years give all well -meaning Nigerians a sleepless night .
My message to the electorate is to shun all temptations to the twin evils of Electoral violence and Vote -buying which is usually sponsored by our present day desperate politicians accross board.
It worries one to note that politicians in Nigeria from both sides of the divides often employ the tactics of Electoral violence, Votes- buying, hijacking, kidnapping, maiming, and killings in their weak political zones with the aims of reducing their opponents’ votes on the day of election in order to win elections .
In my thought, the worst thing that could happen to a democratic society is for its elections to be won by “hook” or by “crook”. Credible elections is very “fundamental”to good governance. Without credible elections good governance will only be a mirage.
Our security agencies must be patriotic enough this time around in order to stop Elections violence and Votes -Buying on elections day. Our security agencies must not compromise.The security agencies must rise to the occasion . Let them be patriotic enough not to be party to the alleged crimes .They must do their work with all sincerity and patriotism.
The INEC officials must be patriotic enough too in discharging their duties as Nigerians. However, no one should expect our politicians to stop the said twin evils in our electoral process especially where they benefit from it.
In my observation, as it is, electoral offenders in Nigeria almost get away with all manners of electoral offences. There is hardly a deterrent for would be electoral offenders ! For us to get it right, It is high time we establish an Independent body charge with the responsibility of “Investigating” and “prosecuting” of electoral offenders in order to serve as a deterrent to would be electoral offenders.
The Media, Civil society organizations, professional bodies, traditional rulers, religious bodies, Legal practitioners and all people of conscience should advocate for electoral offences commission in order to stop the twin menaces of elections violence and Vote -Buying .
May God bless Nigeria!
