The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned individuals or stakeholders planning violence before or before the Edo 2020 governorship election that consequences that await them will not be palatable.
INEC National Commissioner and Chairman, information and voter education committee, Festus Okoye gave the warning while declaring open a workshop for Journalists on Edo 2020 governorship election processes and procedures.
He said it will be in the best interest of every stakeholder to be law-abiding for a smooth, free, fair and credible electoral process.
According to him, “everyone involved in the process must see the conduct of this election as a national project that must be executed with strict compliance with safety protocols.
“The commission is fully prepared to conduct the Edo governorship election.
“The governor and his deputy must vacate government house on the 11th day of November 2020’
“Section 180 of our Constitution provides for the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the concurrence of the National Assembly to postpone the election by a period of six weeks if the country is at war and the territory of Nigeria is involved.
“If the governor and his deputy are not there either through impeachment, death or resignation, the speaker takes over for a period of three months which is not available in this instance So the only thing here, on section 305 of the constitution which states that if there are challenges in any state, the governor can request the president to declare a state of emergency and make a declaration of how the state should be governed in line with the National Assembly.
“Also if there is a second election which is as a result of inconclusive polls, again, it must be within 21 days and should not exceed 13th October.
Earlier, the resident electoral commissioner, Dr Johnson Sinikiem said with almost all eyes on the Edo governorship election he believes the process will defend Nigeria democracy.
Also, the chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Sir Roland Osakue who was represented by the Council Secretary, Titus Akhigbe, urged newsmen to be apolitical in their reportage no matter the situation before, during and after the election in September.
