The Edo House of Assembly on Thursday disagreed with the decision made by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to stop the Edo State Security Network (ESSN) from being present at polling stations in the upcoming governorship election.
The House Majority Leader, Charity Aiguobarueghian, spoke with journalists in Benin and explained that the ESSN was created according to the laws of Nigeria.
Aiguobarueghian assured reporters in Benin that the ESSN would keep protecting people no matter what the Inspector-General said.
DAILY POST reported that on Wednesday, the Inspector-General ordered the ESSN to halt their activities until further notice.
The Inspector-General said this decision was to make sure the governorship election on September 21 is fair and transparent.
Egbetokun emphasized that it is the Police’s job to secure the election and warned the ESSN to stay away from the polling places.
However, Aiguobarueghian told reporters that only a court has the power to stop the ESSN from operating.
Aiguobarueghian highlighted how important the ESSN is for keeping people safe, especially in the rural areas of the state.
“The Edo State House of Assembly, according to its role and powers in Section 4 of the Nigerian Constitution, is responsible for making laws to keep peace and order in the state.”
“Edo State is one of the 23 out of 36 states that have a local community police network to provide security and order,” he said.