Edo Elections: INEC Chairman Arrives Benin to Oversee Peace Accord Signing and Finalize Election Preparations

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu arrived in Benin City on Monday to preside over some events lined up for the Edo State Governorship election slated for September 21.

According to the itinerary released, the INEC boss will engage in several activities that will climax on Thursday with the signing of peace accord by political parties and their candidates. These activities include: a mock accreditation in three locations, readiness assessment to INEC local government offices, inter-agency consultative committee on election security, stakeholders’ engagement, meeting with members of staff, and visit to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Ewuare 11.

Announcing the chairman’s arrival on Monday, Head of INEC’s Voters Education and Publicity in the state, Timidi Wariowei, said the readiness assessment visit to Ikpoba Okha, Egor, Oredo, and Ovia North-East LGAs would take place on Tuesday, while the mock accreditation will take place at Western Boys High school and Idia college.

On Wednesday, the INEC boss would meet with stakeholders, and also visit the palace, while on Thursday, the parties will sign the peace accord. The INEC chair is also expected to meet with the staff same day.

Wariowei said the security agencies and INEC would meet to discuss about security issues relating to the election.

According to him, “This is to inform everyone that the Chairman of the commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, is in town. Please, note that based on the itinerary of the visit, Tuesday will be for the readiness assessment visit to Ikpoba Okha, Egor, Oredo and Ovia North-East LGAs.

“Then Mock Accreditation at Western Boys High school and Idia college will hold by 1pm and we encourage journalists to follow the Chairman and cover these events.”