FEW hours to the governorship election in Edo State, President Muhammadu Buhari has urged political parties, candidates and security agents to behave responsibly during the process.
Incumbent Governor, Godwin Obaseki is flying the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag against Osagie Ize-Iyamu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election to be conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Saturday.
Buhari gave the warning in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu on Thursday.
He said, “I am passionately committed to free and fair elections, but my own commitment is not enough if other actors at ground zero refuse to abide by the rules.
”I want to see democratic standards in the country raised higher at every level, but these cannot be achieved when politicians resort to do-or- die methods to gain power by any means or machination.
“The do-or-die mentality to politics is a threat to free and fair elections because the actors are more focused on winning than caring about a fair outcome that reflects the will of the people.
“Eelection officials and security agents should remain neutral to ensure free and fair elections and avoid any action(s) capable of compromising the integrity of the elections.
”Conducting free and fair elections is one of my main concerns for our democracy, and I want this commitment to be one of the legacies I will leave behind when I depart office.”
