Edo State Government has reiterated its resolve to enforce the laws and regulations put in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19, charging political parties to restrict the conduct of their primary elections within the protocols and provisions of the state’s COVID-19 Quarantine Regulations and Gazette on political gatherings.
Secretary to the State Government, Osarodion Ogie, in a statement, noted that the state would spare no effort in upholding the law and protecting the lives of the people.
According to him, Edo State Government is calling on all political parties holding primary elections to restrict themselves to conducting their activities within the protocols and regulations provided for in the State’s COVID-19 Quarantine Regulations and the Government’s Gazette on political gatherings during this pandemic.
The Secretary to the State Government stressed that the guidelines were issued in fulfilment of the government’s statutory duty to ensure the protection of lives and property in the state, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
He noted that the All Progressives Congress, APC, was acting in defiance of the law, stating that they have noted with concern that all the political parties conducting primary elections in Edo State have notified the government of their readiness to comply with the extant laws and COVID-19 regulations
Ogie said the party appears determined to carry on with the conduct of their primary election in violation of the Edo State COVID-19 Quarantine Regulations and the State Government’s Gazette on political gatherings in a pandemic.
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Ogie hinted that the State Government has it on good authority that these persons have imported thugs into the state to actualise this illegality, further threatening the peace and security of the state.
He said no expense will be spared in upholding the law and protecting the lives of Edo people.
The State Government is, therefore, appealing to the Presidency, President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, the Directorate of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to prevail on those behind this act of lawlessness, to desist forthwith with their planned activity.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
