Edo LG election holds as APC, LP kick

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 election materials in most places.

The election, on the other hand, was free of violence, with voters conducting themselves quietly in most sections of the state.

In most parts of Edo North, such as Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, election materials came early in most polling units, 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, however, condemned the procedure, with the LP marching to the premises of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), where the party complained about a lack of election materials.

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Daniel-Ero Onaghise, the LP chairperson candidate for Oredo local government, has appealed for the election to be cancelled.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, who voted in his polling unit at Emokpae Primary School, commended the procedure and stated that the PDP would win the polls, emphasising that the “PDP is fully mobilised in most of the state.”

Obaseki, who spoke after voting, expressed his joy with the turnout.

“Despite the weather, the turnout was really amazing. There was a significant turnout, indicating interest in the local government election. This suggests that the political parties did a good job of sensitising and mobilising the electorates and people.

“The process has been smooth and peaceful, as many people are still waiting to see the end and conclusion of voting.” I am really impressed with what has occurred, as the organisation by EDSIEC has gone fairly smoothly. You have so many people remaining here at virtually the end of the poll, indicating that we had a decent turnout.

“I’ve been getting updates from all over the state, and this appears to be the general trend.” I have not yet received any reports of violence, and I hope everything goes peacefully.”

On complaints that materials did not arrive on time in some places, the governor stated, “I believe that voting time will be extended and allow more people to vote, I am sure that EDSIEC will extend the time for voting, I am sure voting time will be extended instead of allowing voting to end at 2.30pm.” I am confident that they would extend and allow residents and voters to utilise their franchise.”

This came shortly after he praised the state elections commission for its work.

“I think EDSIEC has done well; I expect popular candidates to win, but don’t forget 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 noted.

“I want to express my displeasure on this exercise,” remarked LP Chairmanship candidate while LP supporters protested. 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 restrictions on movement, but two days before the election, the governor said that there would be no restrictions on movement.

“At that point, we began to have reservations, but EDSIEC assured us that everything would be fine.” Today, items took more than six hours to arrive, and no EDSIEC personnel were spotted. I am the LP candidate for Oredo, but as I speak to you, I am unable to vote since there are no materials; people have been waiting since 7 a.m.

“I discredit the process and call for its cancellation; it is so painful that I have not been able to vote for myself.” He demanded.

On his side, the APC State Chairman, Col David Imuse (RTd), said over the phone from Ekpoma, “This election is a charade, they brought insufficient ballot papers but no single result sheets.”

“How can you hold an election when there is no result sheet?” It is happening right in the entire Edo Central senatorial district, I am phoning from Ekpoma, the same thing is happening in Esan North East, Esan West, everywhere here, no result sheets, and I don’t see how an election can take place without result sheets.” He wept.