NLC hail INEC over plan to hold Edo election on schedule

The organised Labour on Friday commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for going ahead with the Edo gubernatorial election, slated for tomorrow, despite challenges faced on the scheduled election.

Secretary General, Textile workers union and NEC member, Nigerian Labour Congress, Comrade Issa Aremu told journalists on Friday in Kaduna that maintaining the date in the face of challenges showed that INEC is ready to sustain the change by carrying out free and fair election starting with Edo state.

"Organised labour has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the Chairmanship of Professor Mahmood Yakubu for keeping date with democracy by going ahead with the Edo state governorship election scheduled to hold this weekend, Saturday September 10^th, 2016. 

"Labour also called on all the contesting parties in the state to collaborate with the Independent Electoral commission for a free and fair poll."

Comrade Aremu also hailed the decisions of the police and DSS "to raise the alarm about the threats posed by militants and insurgents" adding that "all must support the security agencies to nullify the threats of "anti-democratic forces".

"INEC’s resolve to defend its independence is a practical demonstration of the fact that change truly begins with INEC in line with the campaign for the new national reorientation. The sanctity of electoral calendar is the minimum requirement for free and fair election.

"If the electorate trusts that INEC keeps to its announced dates and times for polls, they have no cause to mistrust and doubt the integrity of its results," the Labour leader added.