Heavy presence of security forces worries Edo residents ahead of elections

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who travelled to the city on Friday to take the pulse of the people of Benin, reports that most people are not satisfied with the development.

Local residents said the situation could deter people from turning out to vote in large numbers on Saturday.

Fidelis Osatohamwena taxi driver, told NAN that the heavy security presence would do more harm than good as many people might not come to vote out of fear.

Osatohamwen, who spoke Pidgin English, said if security agencies could tackle the country's security challenges with the same vigor with which they are tackling Saturday's gubernatorial election, these problems could be overcome.

“Since this is an election, an ordinary gubernatorial election, look at the number of security forces being sent to a state.” he said.

Similar, Happy Igbinobaa resident, said the number of security forces deployed for the election in Edo was shocking.

“To tell the truth, tomorrow there could be voter fatigue because, given the presence of this large number of security forces, no one will want to take the risk of going out and being mistreated.

“For my part, however, I will return to my business after the election,” he said.

Another resident, Doris Ebhoda said that the heavy presence of security personnel would not change the electoral process.

Ebhodaghe said there was a need for a systemic change in the country, otherwise Nigerians, not just Edo residents, would continue to be trapped in the same vicious cycle.

Amos Obadiahanother taxi driver said the heavy presence of security personnel had further weakened the morale of some people.

NAN reports that no fewer than 41,464 security personnel were deployed for Saturday's elections, including 35,000 police officers and 6,464 members of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC).

NA N also reports that two Deputy Inspectors General of Police, four Assistant Inspectors General of Police and ten Police Commissioners have also been deployed for the election.