*It was a sham – LP
By; RALPH OKHIRIA, Benin City
People in Edo State on Saturday went to the polls to elect chairmen and councillors across the 18 local government areas of the state.
Although the election was characterized by late arrival of voting materials, low turnout of voters and skirmishes between the members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP), the election was adjudged as one of the most peaceful to be held in the state.
Some voters, including the state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki and the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Dankwara, described the election as very peaceful.
The governor arrived at his polling unit, Ward 4, Unit 19 in Emokpae Model Primary School in Oredo local government area, at about 1.48pm and voted at exactly 1.51pm.
Addressing journalists after casting his vote, Obaseki said he is impressed with the turnout of voters across the State, noting, “The turnout was very impressive in spite of the rain. There was quite considerable turnout and it showed the interest in the local government election. This means that the political parties did well by going round sensitizing and mobilizing the electorates and the people.
“The process has been smooth and peaceful as a lot of people are still hanging around to see the end and conclusion of voting. I am very impressed by what has happened as the organisation by EDSIEC has gone fairly well. You have so many people still here at almost the closing of the poll, which shows that we have a fairly decent turnout.
“I have been getting updates from across the State and this seems to be the trend all over. I have not received any report of violence yet and pray everything goes smoothly.”
“I believe that the popular candidates will win as you can see the presence of voters and agents around. I think people will accept the outcome of the results when they are ready. I’m sure voting time will be extended instead of allowing voting to end at 2.30pm. I’m sure they will extend and allow citizens and voters to exercise their franchise.”
Similarly, the CP Mr. Dankwara who went round some wards in the state, said the election was very peaceful, noting that the reports from his officers and men who were posted to the various voting centers, reported that everything went well.
But some members of the State chapter of the Labour Party (LP), had reportedly pulled out of the Local Government Councils election, alleging irregularities.
The members of the party in Oredo and Ikpoba Okha Local Government Areas protested to the secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State council to register their grievances.
Speaking, the Ikpoba Okha Local Government Chairman of the party, Jeffery Scott Emuakpor, Enomayor Paul Adewumi, Oredo Local Government chairman of the party and Osamudiamen Eghaghe, and the candidate for Ikpoba Okha, alleged that election materials were not evenly distributed in some voting centers, adding that areas where the party was having sway, materials did not get there.
They alleged that the party was intimidated and harassed by the local vigilant groups at the various voting centres.
They said, based on the harassment, the party has asked its agents, chairmanship candidates and councilors to pull out of the ongoing Councils election, stressing that the whole exercise was a sham.
They however called on the federal government to henceforth allow INEC to be the sole body saddled with the responsibility of conducting all local government elections in the country to avoid it being hijacked by the state government.
As at the time of filing this report, election results were yet to be announced by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).
