Jonathan to INEC, security agencies: Act as independent arbiters in Edo guber election

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to remain neutral in the discharge of their responsibilities during Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state.

Jonathan said INEC and security agencies have a “moral burden” to act as “independent arbiters” during the election.

In a statement via X on Friday, the former president said “democracy loses its value when citizens cannot exercise their political choices in a free and fair atmosphere”.

Jonathan appealed to all political stakeholders to “work towards deepening the nation’s democracy by prioritising peace and security of the state”.

“In the interest of peace and the integrity of our electoral process, I urge the electoral management body and security agencies to be professional and neutral in discharging their responsibilities,” he said.

“The Edo election scheduled for this weekend places a moral burden on state agencies, especially the police and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to rise to their constitutional responsibilities as independent arbiters in our democratic process.

“Security agencies must conduct themselves in optimal neutrality and desist from actions that could alter the setting for a level-playing field and compromise the credibility of the electoral process.

“On its part, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must live up to expectations as an unbiased umpire and inspire confidence in all actors through a transparent voting process.

“There is no doubt that loss of confidence in an electoral process encourages political disputes, social unrest, voter apathy, increased polarization, and other far-reaching consequences that could undermine development and democratic consolidation.

“For democracy to endure, our leadership recruitment process must be devoid of all forms of manipulation, and state institutions have the obligation to guarantee peaceful, credible, and transparent elections.

“That way, citizens will be able to elect leaders of their choice who they will entrust with the legitimacy to deliver good governance, peace, and prosperity.”

On Saturday, residents in Edo will go to the polls to elect who succeeds Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state, who is finishing his two-term term of eight years.

Although 17 political parties are participating in the election, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Labour Party (LP) are the major contenders.