The Edo State government has declared Friday, September 20, a public holiday to enable workers and residents to travel to their voting areas ahead of the state’s governorship election scheduled for September 21. The election will take place across the 18 local government areas of the state.
The declaration aims to facilitate voter participation by allowing people to cast their ballots in their registered voting areas. The government has also assured residents of adequate security measures to ensure a smooth and peaceful electoral process.
According to The Cable, the decision underscores the government’s commitment to maintaining order and encouraging voter turnout. This is not the first time such a measure has been taken; a similar public holiday was declared during the 2020 gubernatorial election in Edo State.
Joseph Eboigbe, the Secretary to the State Government, announced the holiday in a statement issued on Thursday, September 19.
Political Tensions Rise as PDP Declines to Sign Peace Accord
The holiday declaration comes amid heightened political tensions, following the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s refusal to sign a peace accord ahead of the election. The peace accord, a customary political gesture in Nigeria, aims to foster a peaceful election environment. Governor Godwin Obaseki initially announced that the PDP would not participate in the signing, citing the alleged illegal detention of some party members by the police.
This stance has intensified political friction in the state, especially considering the PDP’s main challenger is the All Progressives Congress (APC), which holds significant influence at the federal level.
PDP Criticized for Campaigning with Tinubu’s Achievements
In the lead-up to the election, the PDP has also faced criticism for highlighting the achievements of President Bola Tinubu during his tenure as Governor of Lagos in their campaign. A campaign video featuring Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan praised the PDP’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, for his role as part of Tinubu’s economic team that contributed to Lagos’s development.
Jubril Gawat, a media aide to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reacted to the video, criticizing the PDP for leveraging Tinubu’s achievements to bolster their campaign in Edo.
As the election day approaches, these developments add layers of complexity to the already charged political atmosphere in Edo State, setting the stage for a closely watched contest.
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