On Thursday, a Diaspora group, Edo Concerned Citizens Worldwide, called for a credible election in Edo State, urging all stakeholders to follow the rules. The group expressed concerns over comments made by leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including President Bola Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and former Edo governor Adams Oshiomhole, claiming their remarks could incite unrest.
In a statement signed by Mr. Larry Irabor and Mr. Jimoh Eronmwon, the group emphasized that the people of Edo should be allowed to freely choose their next governor. They called on international bodies such as the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS, and the European Union to intervene and ensure a fair election process.
The group urged global leaders to hold the Nigerian government accountable for preventing electoral malpractice and maintaining stability in the region. They warned that electoral misconduct could threaten the stability of West Africa, potentially leading to increased refugee flows to Europe. They also called for sanctions on individuals responsible for undermining democracy in the region.
Their primary demand is for a level playing field that respects the democratic will of Edo State’s citizens.