NCSSR and ANEEJ Hold Sensitisation Rally for Peaceful Edo Gubernatorial Election

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), in partnership with the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), organised a one-day sensitisation rally on Monday, urging the people of Edo State to vote peacefully in the upcoming September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election.

Themed “Vote Don’t Fight, There’s Life After Election,” the rally sought to encourage peaceful participation without violence.

Taking their message to the streets of Benin City, the rally drew attention to the importance of casting votes without bloodshed, particularly emphasising the role of the youth in resisting manipulation before, during, and after the election.

The rally culminated at the Edo State Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where various speakers reiterated their call for Edo residents to vote freely for the candidate of their choice while promoting a peaceful election process.
They also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure the election is free, fair, and credible.

“We are urging Edo people to come out and vote without bloodshed, without the need for violence. There’s no need for anyone to lose their life during this process,” said a representative of the group.

Receiving the rally participants, NUJ Edo State Council Chairman, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, expressed his desire for a peaceful election where citizens can vote without fear of violence or intimidation.
He stressed that the votes should be counted transparently and the results declared without conflict.

Alenkhe added, “I hope to see an election where nobody is harmed, where votes are cast peacefully, counted peacefully, and the winner is declared without any issues.”