Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Road Safety Corps, Edo Sector Command, has announced that it will not participate in Saturday's local government election in the state, citing the absence of an official invitation from the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission or any election stakeholders. The State Sector Commander of the corps, Mr Preye Bedford, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Friday, July 10, 2026, in Benin City, clearing the air on the command's role in the electoral process.
According to Bedford, the command's exclusion from the exercise stems from a lack of an official invitation. "My command is not involved. Well, we weren't invited," the official said, confirming that the FRSC would not be part of the security or traffic management arrangements for the poll. The local government election is scheduled to hold across the 18 council areas of the state on Saturday, July 11, 2026, with 12 political parties cleared by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission to participate.
Reacting to how the corps would navigate the 12-hour movement restriction scheduled from 6:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Bedford indicated that routine operations would have been suspended, but the command would only assess the situation before deciding on any traffic control measures. "We will only assess the situation before we know what to do," he said, suggesting that the FRSC may not deploy its personnel for traffic management during the election unless a formal request is made or the situation on the ground necessitates intervention.
The FRSC's decision not to participate in the election highlights the importance of proper coordination and official invitations in the planning of security and traffic management for elections. It also raises questions about the level of inter-agency communication between the Edo State Government, the electoral commission, and security agencies ahead of the polls. The corps' absence could affect traffic flow and road safety management, particularly given the movement restriction and the expected movement of voters, electoral officials, and materials across the state.
The development comes amid a broader political context, with the Peoples Democratic Party, Action Democratic Congress, and National Democratic Congress having announced their boycott of the Saturday local government election in Edo State. The FRSC's non-participation adds another layer of complexity to the electoral process, as the corps is typically involved in ensuring the safety of road users and managing traffic during major events, including elections. While other security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, are expected to provide security for the polls, the absence of the FRSC could leave a gap in traffic management and emergency response along major routes.
As of the time of filing this report, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission had not issued a statement clarifying why the FRSC was not invited or whether efforts were being made to secure its participation. The commission had earlier cleared 12 political parties to contest the election, but the boycott by major opposition parties and the FRSC's non-involvement could affect the credibility and smooth conduct of the exercise. Residents and motorists have been advised to plan their movements accordingly, as the combination of movement restriction and the absence of the FRSC may lead to traffic disruptions in some parts of the state.
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