The Edo State Government held Local Government Council elections for the state’s 18 Local Government Areas on Saturday, despite protests from the opposition — the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP) — about insufficient electoral materials in most areas.
However, there was no violence during the election since citizens in most sections of the state voted peacefully.
Election materials came early in most polling units in Edo North, such as Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, and voting began as early as 8 a.m. in some regions, and the process went off without a hitch.
The opposition APC and the LP, on the other hand, condemned the exercise, with the LP protesting at the offices of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where the party complained about a lack of election materials.
Daniel-Ero Onaghise, the LP chairperson candidate for Oredo local government, has requested for the process to be cancelled.
Governor Godwin Obaseki, who voted in his polling unit at Emokpae Primary School, commended the event and stated that the PDP would win the polls, emphasising that the “PDP has been fully mobilised in most of the state.”
Obaseki, who spoke after voting, expressed happiness with the turnout.
“Despite the rain, the turnout was very impressive.” There was a sizable turnout, indicating public interest in the local government election. This suggests that political parties did a good job of sensitising and mobilising voters and the general public.
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“The process has been smooth and peaceful, as many people are still waiting for the voting to finish.” I am extremely impressed with what has occurred since EDSIEC’s organisation has gone fairly smoothly. You have so many people remaining here at virtually the end of the poll, indicating that we had a fairly good turnout.
“I’ve been getting updates from all over the state, and this appears to be the trend.” I have not yet received any reports of violence, and I hope everything goes well.”
In response to complaints that materials did not arrive on time in some regions, the governor stated, “I believe that voting time will be extended and allow more people to vote, I am confident that EDSIEC will extend the time for voting, I am confident voting time will be extended instead of allowing voting to end at 2.30pm.” I am confident that they would extend and permit residents and voters to utilise their franchise.”
This came as he praised the state elections commission for its work.
“I think EDSIEC has done well; I expect popular candidates to win, but keep in mind that the PDP went all out to campaign for this election; I don’t know how much the other parties mobilised, but I know the PDP mobilised fully in most of the state.”
“I expect some opposition here and there, but I know the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went all out to mobilise for this election, and I’m not aware of any other political parties,” Obaseki said.
While LP supporters protested, LP Chairmanship candidate remarked, “I want to express my displeasure with this exercise.” We had a number of stakeholder meetings; at one time, they stated BIVAs and card readers would be utilised, but as the election approached, they dropped that; they said there would be mobility restrictions, but two days before the election, the governor announced that there would be no movement restrictions.
“At that point, we began to suspect, but EDSIEC assured us that everything would be fine.” Today, items took more than six hours to arrive, and no EDSIEC personnel were visible. I am the LP candidate for Oredo, but as I speak to you, I am unable to vote since there are no materials, despite the fact that people have been waiting since 7 a.m.
“I discredit the process and call for its cancellation; it is so painful that I have been unable to vote for myself.” He insisted.
Speaking on the phone from Ekpoma, the APC State Chairman, Col David Imuse (RTd), said, “This election is a charade, they brought insufficient ballot papers but no single result sheets.”
“How can an election be held when there is no result sheet?” It is happening in the entire Edo Central senatorial district, which I am phoning from Ekpoma, the same thing is happening in Esan North East, Esan West, and everywhere else here, no result sheets, and I don’t see how an election can take place without result sheets.” He bemoaned.
