The Edo State Government has declared Friday, September 20, as a work-free day to enable residents and workers to travel to their designated polling stations ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, September 21.
This announcement was made by Joseph Eboigbe, Secretary to the Edo State Government (SSG), through an official statement.
Eboigbe reassured the public that all necessary security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election. “This is to inform the general public that Friday, September 20, has been declared a work-free day. This will give workers and other voters the chance to travel to their respective polling areas for the governorship election,” the statement read.
He also wished citizens safe travels and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to a smooth electoral process.
In a related development, nine political parties in Edo State have announced their merger with the All Progressives Congress (APC), increasing the party’s chances of victory in the upcoming election.
The merger was disclosed by the Assembly of Registered Political Parties in Edo, led by Sam Arase, chairman of the National Rescue Movement (NRM).
Among the parties joining the APC are the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Accord (A), Young Progressive Party (YPP), Action Alliance (AA), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), All Peoples Party (APP), and the Social Democratic Party of Nigeria (SDP).
These parties have pledged their support for APC’s governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
In total, 17 political parties will contest the Edo governorship election, with candidates vying to succeed outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, who has endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
