Odinkalu noted that there is hardly anywhere one can go to in Nigeria without passing through Edo State
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, has issued a warning to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yakubu Mahmood, saying there will be consequences if his men try to manipulate the Edo State gubernatorial election.
He made this known on Saturday in a post he shared on his X handle.
According to Odinkalu, there is hardly anywhere one can go to in Nigeria without passing through Edo.
He, therefore, cautioned INEC that wrong handling of the ongoing Edo guber election will have repercussions for the entire nation.
Speaking via his verified social media page, Odinkalu tweeted: “If Mahmood Yakubu & @inecnigeria mess with #EdoDecides2024 like they habitually do in deliberate manner, all of #Nigeria will suffer it: there is hardly anywhere u can go to in Nigeria without passing through Edo…. Not that the electoral bandit in charge of #INEC much cares.”
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Prior to this, former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, had made a similar call.
Speaking on Friday, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain urged INEC and security agencies to be professional and neutral in discharging their responsibilities during the Edo poll.
According to him, they must live up to expectations as an unbiased umpire and inspire confidence in all actors through a transparent voting process.
Jonathan said, “As citizens of voting age in Edo State go to the polls for the governorship election on Saturday, September 21, 2024, I call on all political actors and stakeholders to work towards deepening the nation’s democracy by prioritizing peace and security of the state.”
The ex-President added, “It is encouraging that civil rule has endured in the Fourth Republic for 25 years but we should remind our people that democracy loses its value when citizens cannot exercise their political choices in a free and fair atmosphere.”