Transition Monitoring Group Raises Concerns Ahead of Edo Governorship Election

Bilkisu Adejoh

The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has raised serious concerns over the upcoming off-cycle governorship election in Edo State, scheduled for September 21.

TMG Chairman Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) outlined several issues that could jeopardize the credibility and safety of the electoral process during a press conference held on September 10, 2024, at the CISLAC Conference Room in Abuja.

Rafsanjani identified major concerns including the undemocratic conduct of political party primaries, the growing use of violence and hate speech, and the increasing prevalence of political thuggery.

He cited specific incidents, such as voter intimidation during the collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and the assassination of a police officer during a political clash in July, as troubling examples of escalating violence.

The group condemned the deployment of armed thugs to intimidate political opponents and the destruction of campaign materials.

TMG also highlighted incidents of non-election-related violence, such as cult group clashes and communal crises, that could further disrupt the electoral process.

The group further criticized the practice of vote trading amid economic hardships, calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to take immediate action against such practices.

TMG emphasized the importance of political parties conducting fair and transparent primaries and expressed concern over the increasing trend of court decisions determining election outcomes, rather than the will of the electorate.

The group called on all stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, and citizens, to work together to ensure a peaceful, credible, and transparent election in Edo State.

The organization also announced a comprehensive observation plan for election day, which includes deploying trained observers across the state to monitor and report any incidents. TMG urged citizens to reject vote-buying and actively participate in the election to uphold democratic principles and prevent electoral manipulation.