Prior to the Edo State governorship election on September 21, the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) emphasized the importance of a credible, transparent, and peaceful election.
During a press briefing at the stakeholders’ meeting in Benin City, the national chairman of IPAC, Yusuf Dantalle, called on all involved parties to ensure a fair and peaceful election while cautioning against the practice of vote buying.
This crucial stakeholders’ voter sensitization press conference aims to promote a peaceful, transparent, and inclusive upcoming Edo State governorship election.
The stakeholders previously signed a peace pact as part of their efforts to facilitate a peaceful electoral process.
Stressing that IPAC is structured to ensure all levels and tiers of government are carried along in the electoral and democratic process, Dantalle said “As we approach this important electoral process, we must emphasize the significance of conducting a free, fair, and peaceful election. Stakeholders must all play by the rules, adhering to the electoral guidelines, constitution, and electoral act.”
He encouraged voters in the state to fulfill their civic responsibility without obstruction and cast their votes for the candidates they believe in, considering their manifesto, past performance, and leadership attributes.
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“Reject any form of vote buying, as it undermines the integrity of our democracy. To the contestants, we urge you to know that the will of the electorates is sacrosanct and should be respected. The decision to choose leaders rests squarely on the shoulders of the people and that is what makes democracy unique.
“Therefore, contestants in any election must resist the temptation to manipulate the process or attempt to force themselves on the people. Leadership should be selfless service to the people and if that is the case, no responsible leader would want to force himself or herself on the people.
“To the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, we appeal to you, to remain neutral and impartial. Ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.
“Your roles are critical in maintaining the trust and confidence of the electorate. We need to see the neutrality of the respective institutions to promote our nascent democracy”.
He advised Nigerians to show some patience, mentioning that the current situation is temporary and a challenging period. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to rescue the country from its current political and economic challenges.
“To make the matter worse some enemies of this administration are already using this to instigate the people against the government. But if we must connect this to how some Western countries today developed we can see that some of the economic policies then appeared to be harsh but in the long run they paid off and today they have been celebrated as leading economic champions,” he said.
Again, Zazzaga praised President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering dedication to advancing the nation and the party, guiding it in the correct direction.
