The post-election situation in Edo State is giving the people genuine cause for concern. With the election won and lost, the expectation was that the animosity that defined last year’s governorship election would have simmered down by now. But that isn’t the case.
While the toxic drama surrounding that election provided the context for the current unfolding upheaval in the state, the hope that cooler heads would have prevailed after the election seems to have become forlorn, no thanks to the political actors in the state.
More troubling is the seeming inability of security institutions, especially the police, to arrest the situation and effect sanity. Presumed political thugs, who were perceptibly unleashed during the elections, have become so audacious in a state that was grappling with cult-related wars.
The grimmer context of the goings-on in the state is that political insanity deteriorated to a point where a gunman in broad daylight opened fire in a street close to the Election Petition Tribunal, which was sitting at the time.
In another development, a private bodyguard was beaten by suspected thugs out of the tribunal on the allegation that he is not a security agent and has no business in screening who should be inside the court or not.
While these despicable acts played out, the two major parties in the state, engrossed in a disgraceful race of low politics, have dragged seemingly willing police into the murky political waters of the state.
It’s relieving that the electoral tribunal has been moved to Abuja for safety’s sake. However, it’s sad that the electoral court couldn’t continue sitting in the state where the election was held, which raises another spectre of suspicion and debate between the parties.
Nevertheless, the safety of the electoral judges is as vital as the dispassionate judgement expected of them. Nothing justifies holding court in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation without any assurances from the security institutions of their protection.
This, unfortunately, raises concerns about the quality of policing in the state. That an individual could brazenly fire gunshots close to the tribunal premises and just drive off easily tells so much.
This brings to mind the disgraceful entanglement of the police with the political drama in the build-up to the election, which led to the death of an officer.
We also recall that in July last year, a police officer identified as Okon, attached to the then All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Edo governorship election, Monday Okpebholo, was killed after mobs attacked his principal’s convoy and that of then reinstated deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, in Benin shortly after leaving the Benin Airport.
Not long after, the two major political parties indulged in counter-accusations over the murder of the policeman. In the heat of the moment, the police talked toughly.
But it does appear that the Police has moved on after some suspects it arrested were released on bail. Although it said investigations are still on, it is becoming likely that the case would go cold, and no one would account for daring to kill one of its own in the line of duty.
In our opinion, whatever is left of decency and concern for the people’s well-being takes flight in the desperate quest for power and self-preservation. Most political actors become rabidly blind to the fact that violence hurts the state and, by extension, the country.
The state’s socio-economic climate suffers after investors leave and prospects decline. One can only pray that the vibrant youth population can resist the temptation of politicians to be foot soldiers in selfish political wars.
A change of heart is crucial before the situation becomes unmanageable. The appeal to political actors to rethink their actions has become invariably compelling and urgent.
We thought the era of gangster politics should have given way to politics of winning the hearts and minds of the people through ideas and quality governance.
The revered traditional institution in the state has been doing the best it can within the ambit of the law. However, more is needed at this point to rely on all politically-exposed persons to act in the best interest of the people.
The Police seriously needs to purge itself and get its act right. It’s already shameful that the electoral tribunal has to be moved to Abuja because of its inability to do its job.
It cannot continue to allow the level of lawlessness and instability continue. It cannot afford to appear weak or conniving. We urge the Inspector General of Police to address this major failing in the state. Perhaps it’s time to clear the Police stable in the state.