nationwide apprehension that Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State would be marred by large scale violence, the election held peacefully in most parts of the state, save for disruptions recorded in few Local Government Areas.
Meanwhile, following the fear of violence, the National Peace Committee, headed by a former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar, intervened in a state election as against its usual practice of intervening in presidential elections. At Unit 001, Ward 10, Iyamho, where former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, voted, 19 security agents were sighted. At Units 009, 010, and 011, Ward 9, Elele, there were more than 20 security agents in total. A significant number of security agents was also observed at Unit 002, Ward 10, Ogbido and Unit 003, Ward 10, Uluoke/Ayaoghena.
At Unit 26 Ward 5 in Iguododo community where Ize-Iyamu voted, three unarmed policemen and two officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were present. Ize-Iyamu was accompanied to the polling unit by some persons. However, a team of policemen later came when the APC candidate had cast his vote and left the premises of Iguododo Primary School.
Also, in Ogbe Primarily School in Benin, suspected thugs entered a voting centre and ordered all voters out at gunpoint. The wife of an APC local government chairman was also beaten up by suspected political thugs. These two were among the few skirmishes that marred the Edo poll. Governor Obaseki, who is also the candidate of the PDP, said in a statement by his Special Adviser, Crusoe Osagie, that there was election manipulation in areas where he was popular.
He added, “Given that this is a sole day election, I expected that a bit more planning, preparation and resources should have been put into this election. The card reader is working very slowly, and this is the situation in all the major voting centers in the Oredo Local Government Area of the state.
The former Edo governor, who cast his vote at Unit 001, Ward 10 at Iyamho Primary School, Iyamho, Etsako West Local Government Area at 10.15am, cautioned INEC against disenfranchising voters. He told our correspondent on Saturday night, “Yes, there were issues with the card reader which just have to be fixed. I think it took three attempts before I was passed to vote. The fellow before me had almost as many , if not more.
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