Residents Voice Concerns Over Heavy Security Presence Ahead of Edo Governorship Election
As the governorship election approaches in Edo State, residents of Benin City express significant concerns over the heavy deployment of security personnel, fearing it may discourage voter participation. Local voices indicate that the security presence may create an atmosphere of intimidation and anxiety, overshadowing the electoral process and prompting calls for systemic change in the political framework.
Residents of Benin City, Edo State, have voiced their concerns regarding the significant deployment of security personnel as the governorship election approaches, scheduled for Saturday. Observations made by a correspondent from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reveal an evident discomfort among the local populace with this heavy security presence, as many anticipate it may deter voters from participating in the electoral process due to heightened fear and apprehension. Fidelis Osatohamwen, a local cab driver, articulated his worries regarding the impact of this unusual security concentration. He remarked that, “Now, because it is an election, ordinary governorship election, see the number of security personnel sent to one state,” suggesting that if the security agencies directed similar efforts toward ongoing national security challenges, they would likely witness more effective resolutions. Additionally, Lucky Igbinoba, another concerned resident, expressed alarm at the overwhelming number of security forces, stating, “Truth be told, there may be voter apathy tomorrow because, with the presence of this number of security personnel, nobody will want to risk coming out and being manhandled.” Doris Ebhodaghe argued that such a substantial security presence would not effectuate any real change in the election process, emphasizing a need for systemic transformations in the nation’s political landscape. Furthermore, Amos Obadoni, also a cab driver, conveyed that the significant military presence has adversely affected community morale. According to NAN, the security for the elections will comprise 41,464 personnel, including 35,000 police officers and 6,464 members from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Notably, the deployment includes two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, four Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and ten Commissioners of Police.
The upcoming governorship election in Edo State has prompted heightened security measures, aiming to ensure a peaceful electoral process. However, the quantity of security personnel deployed has raised alarms among the residents, who fear that it may instill fear rather than reassurance. Their trepidation not only reflects concerns over potential voter suppression but also highlights the broader context of security issues faced within Nigeria, which often spill over into the electoral framework, influencing citizens’ willingness to participate in democratic processes.
The heavy presence of security personnel in Benin City ahead of the governorship election has elicited considerable concern among residents, who worry it may deter voter participation due to fear of intimidation. While officials argue that this heightened security is necessary for a peaceful election, residents insist that without fundamental changes to the political and electoral systems, such measures will have little positive impact. The apprehension surrounding the elections illustrates a critical intersection of security and civic engagement in Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
Original Source: www.pulse.ng
