Ahead of the Edo governorship election, residents of Benin City express concern over the heavy presence of security personnel, fearing it may deter voter participation. Some residents believe that increased security does not necessarily translate to a healthier electoral environment, emphasizing the need for systemic change in the political landscape.
In the lead-up to the upcoming governorship election in Edo State, a significant deployment of security personnel in Benin City has raised concerns among local residents. Many citizens have expressed unease regarding the heavy visible presence of law enforcement, fearing it may deter voters from participating in the election scheduled for Saturday. A correspondent from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visited various parts of Benin City on Friday to gauge public sentiment and found that the majority of residents are apprehensive about the implications of such a security force. Fidelis Osatohamwen, a local cab driver, voiced his concerns, stating, “The heavy security presence would rather cause more harm than good as several people might not come out to vote due to fear.” He further remarked on the disproportionate response to an ordinary election, suggesting that if security agencies addressed broader security challenges with the same intensity, the country would fare better. Another resident, Lucky Igbinoba, described the heavy deployment of security personnel as shocking, indicating that it might lead to voter apathy. He stated, “Truth be told, there may be voter apathy tomorrow because, with the presence of this number of security personnel, nobody will want to risk coming out and being manhandled.” Doris Ebhodaghe, a resident of Benin City, also emphasized that the security presence would not significantly alter the electoral process, indicating the need for systemic change in Nigeria’s political landscape. Similarly, cab driver Amos Obadoni noted that the overwhelming security presence has negatively impacted the morale of potential voters. NAN has reported that for the Saturday election, a total of 41,464 security personnel have been deployed. This includes 35,000 policemen and 6,464 personnel from the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), alongside top-tier police officials to oversee the electoral process. Residents remain hopeful for peaceful conduct during the election but are wary that the strong security presence may have the opposite effect on voter turnout.
The governorship elections in Edo State are set against a backdrop of increased security concerns in Nigeria, as the country has faced various electoral challenges historically, including violence and voter intimidation. The deployment of such a large number of security personnel is aimed at ensuring a safe electoral process but has inadvertently led to public anxiety about participation.
In summary, the extensive presence of security personnel in Benin City ahead of the Edo governorship election has elicited significant concern among residents, who fear that it may discourage voter turnout. While authorities aim to ensure safety and order during the election, public sentiment indicates a potential for voter apathy due to the intimidating nature of the security deployment. Residents are advocating for not only enhanced security measures but also broader systemic reforms to improve the electoral process in Nigeria.
Original Source: www.pulse.ng
