TheCable

TheCable and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) have entered a partnership for Saturday’s governorship election in Edo state.

Under the partnership, trained reporters and observers will be deployed in all the 18 local government areas of the state.

Both organisations will keep readers up to date through a live coverage of the election.

Commenting on the partnership, Simon Kolawole, chief executive officer of TheCable, said: “CDD’s commitment to democracy and development has been a propelling force in this partnership. TheCable is committed to similar ideals in the pursuit of Nigeria’s progress.”

Idayat Hassan, CDD director, said the partnership will ensure an in-depth coverage and robust analysis of the poll.

“This huge step taken by CDD and TheCable will provide Nigerians with a platform that they can take advantage of for detailed poll activities, election analysis, reports, and possibly recommendations aimed at strengthening the nation’s electoral practices,” she said.

Hassan added that the CDD and TheCable have worked together in the past to deliver quality data at the centre’s election analysis centre (EAC).

Shamsudeen Yusuf, CDD programmes officer, also said the partnership stems from the centre’s determination to ensure that there is a “rigorous analysis of election-related events” in the course of the poll.

Yusuf said it will also help expose activities that may threaten the integrity of the electoral process.

The election is being contested by 14 candidates, including Godwin Obaseki, the incumbent governor.

Obaseki, who is contesting under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Osagie Ize-Iyamu, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), are seen as the main contenders in the exercise.