CDD Warns Politicians Against Building Tension In Edo State Ahead Of Edo Election

 
By Chinenye Festus:-
Ahead of the September 19 governorship election in Edo State, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) has warned politicians to desist from sponsoring and championing activities that could cause commotion or stir up violence in the state.
The centre in a new brief they had on pre-election activities in the state, which has its theme as “New Allegiances, Familiar Faces A Preview of Edo’s 2020 Gubernatorial Election”, said some early warning signs which portend grave danger for the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process and its outcomes are already being witnessed in Edo.
The Centre urged political parties and their candidates to focus the conversation in the remaining period of the campaign on development and governance issues.
It also called for the enforcement of provisions of the Electoral Act to prosecute political actors seeking to undermine the election.
The centre also noted that the violence trend which is being observed in the state now in view of the forthcoming gubatorial elections, if not  given urgent attention can compromise the elections and taint the sanctity of the vote,
CDD said politicians in Nigeria need to work towards de-escalating the tension building up ahead of the poll.
The centre therefore called on all the political parties, the media, civil society organisations and community-based groups to engage the electorate in conversations which will highlight the problem of disinformation and pleads with anyone participating in the election to shun activities which may potentially incite violence among members and opponents alike.