Skip to main content Skip to footer 
With just 48 hours before the Edo governorship election, Yiaga Africa, a prominent election observer group, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a transparent and credible election that aligns with the expectations of Nigerians. In a pre-election statement, the organization emphasized key concerns including security volatility, distrust in state institutions, and the integrity of the electoral process.
Three Critical Tests for the Election
Yiaga Africa outlined three significant tests that will shape the election outcome:
–Impartiality Test for Security Agencies: Ensuring that security personnel act professionally without bias.
– Resilience Test for Citizens:Urging citizens to participate actively and resist vote-buying and intimidation.
– Integrity Test for INEC:Proving INEC’s capacity to manage a transparent and efficient election process.
Voter Registration and Engagement
Voter engagement has seen a notable increase, with 2,629,025 registered voters, representing a 19% rise from 2020. Additionally, 85.57% of registered voters have collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), signaling a high interest in the upcoming election.
Campaign Concerns
Yiaga Africa expressed concerns over campaign rhetoric devolving into personal attacks and hate speech, which could heighten tensions. However, the group commended peace-building efforts led by the National Peace Committee and urged political parties to honor their commitments to maintaining peace.
Voter Inducement and Election Observation
Reports of voter inducement, where political parties allegedly distributed cash and gifts to influence voters, have raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. In response, Yiaga Africa will deploy 325 trained observers using the Process & Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology to monitor the election.
Call to Action
Yiaga Africa urged voters to show resilience by resisting vote-buying and intimidation. The group also called on INEC to maintain transparency, establish strong oversight of collation officers, and apply election guidelines consistently. Security agencies were encouraged to act professionally, apprehend offenders, and respect citizens’ rights throughout the election.
