Ahead of the September 19, 2020 governorship election in Edo state, the Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ) has faulted the non commitment by political actors to stemming the tide of irregular migration among citizens in their campaign manifesto.
This was just as the group called on government and other stakeholders to improve the State civil engagement for accountability and transparency.
Deputy Executive Director of the organization, Mr. Leo Atakpo who stated this during a media briefing in Benin City on Thursday urged for the implementation of government policies “to adequately address irregular migration among others.”
Atakpo expressed concern that campaigns for governorship polls in the State has left important issues unaddressed “particularly on irregular migration affecting Edo youths.”
According to him, “Like other Africa migrants, some Edo citizens are prepared to make perilous Europe journey again.
“The risk notwithstanding a plausible explanation for what can be described as migrants again, and again is the failure of government to sufficiently invest on critical human development sector”.
In a related development, Yiaga Africa has expressed concerns over voters inducement “at the expense of issue-based politics”.
The group specifically berated major political parties, particularly the All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ” for investing in the distribution of money and gift items as a strategy to swing voters”.
Dr. Aisha Abdullahi Umar, Yiaga Africa Watching the Vote Edo 2020 Observation Mission disclosed this during a pre-election press briefing in Benin City.
Aisha stated that 500 Parallel Vote Tabulation (PVT) Observers are currently sending in practice reports based on the election day scenario.
