With less than 48 hours to go before the Edo state governorship election, residents have voiced both concerns and hopes about the upcoming poll. According to data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 2,249,780 registered voters have collected their permanent voter cards (PVCs) and are expected to vote on Saturday to elect a new governor.

Despite INEC’s assurance of a fair and credible election, some residents remain skeptical. Hope, a trader in Benin City, expressed her disillusionment with the electoral process. She stated that she will not vote because she believes her vote won’t count. “I don’t want to vote because no matter what, it won’t count. They will still make whoever they want governor,” she said. Hope added that she had only voted in the past because former governor Oshiomhole had “done the right thing,” but now, she feels no candidate stands out.

On the other hand, James Ogunshola, an entrepreneur, is optimistic about the election process, believing it will be free and fair. He hopes for a peaceful election and plans to vote for the candidate he believes will serve Edo well, not necessarily tied to a political party.

Similarly, John, a youth who witnessed the distribution of election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Benin, encouraged residents to participate in the election. He believes the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, will continue the work of the current governor, Godwin Obaseki, and that the election will be peaceful.

Meanwhile, Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), has warned local security operatives and vigilantes to stay away from election duties and emphasized that anyone attempting to disrupt the election will face consequences. The military is committed to ensuring a free, fair, and credible election in Edo state.