By Damilare Adeleye
Even as the Edo governorship election was relatively peaceful in many parts of the state, the yet-to-be concluded electoral process was not without some hiccups.
Many eligible residents in Edo trooped out in all the local government areas of the state on Saturday to elect a new govenor, who will steer the affairs of the state for the next four years.
Though there are 17 candidates in the race for the Edo governorship seat, the leading contenders are Dr Asue Ighodalo of People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebhelo of All Progressive Congress (APC) and Mr. Olumide Akpata of Labour Party.
Despite tension over security threat as raised by major political parties ahead of the poll, what happened yesterday was quite peaceful as no attack or casualty has been reported in the ongoing election.
Regardlessly, cases of vote buying, political thuggery, late arrival of INEC officials and irregularities on the part of the electoral officers were issues that trailed the ongoing process.
Vote Buying: Political Parties Share N10,000, Bread As Police Arrest Few Suspects
Despite claim by former governor of the state and APC chieftain, Adams Oshiomhole, that the party did not stockpile money to buy votes in the election, reports however emerged that major leading parties induced voters with money and some food items.
Yiaga Africa, a civil society organisation, reported that its agents observed incidences of vote buying in the poll.
It said APC and PDP party agents were seen bribing voters with N10,000 at the Idumoka Pri School polling unit, ward 1 in Igueben LGA.
The CSO said some APC and PDP party agents were also seen handing out cash gifts at Enikaro Primary School IX polling unit in Ugbekun ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA.
Corroborating, a coalition of Civil Society Organisations under the umbrella of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR), also observed “widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units” .
“Situation Room observers reported widespread instances of blatant vote buying and selling across several polling units, despite the huge presence of security personnel,” the group said in a statement co-signed by Yunusa Z. Ya’u, Mimidoo Achakpa and Franklin Oloniju.
The group said the price of votes ranged from N5,000 to N10,000 and in some cases, food items like bread were handed to the electorate.
“The price of votes ranged from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 per voter in several locations, including PU08 and 09 Ward 2, Owan-East LGA; PU 02 Ward 2, Etsako-West LGA; and several polling units in Egor, Oredo and Owan-West LGAs.
“In some cases, voters were also induced with food items such as bread,” the group said.
Meanwhile, operatives of the Nigeria Police reportedly arrested two key members of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for alleged vote buying in the ongoing Edo governorship election. The suspects identified as Emotingham Godspower (25) and Farawei Isaac (27), were arrested on Saturday in Ufunama community, Ovia South West LGA, Edo state.
According to the Police, the suspects, who were connected to a larger network involving one “Atiku” and a kingpin known as “the boss”, were apprehended at So Cash guest house in Ekpoma.
The items recovered from them include a list of voters’ names with corresponding monetary values, collection of pre-filled ballot papers and set of fake identification cards.
“Furthermore, six suspects namely Suleiman Abdurahim,Fatima Yakubu,Yusuf Aminat 52 yrs,Salihu Lukman 54yrs,Safianu Saratu 32yrs were all arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, beside Meremu hotel, Auchi, for engaging in vote buying. This group was found with: A large sum of money, A cache of weapons A detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation,” ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, said in a statement issued on Saturday.
INEC Late Arrival
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were not on ground early at some polling units in Edo State.
For instance, at the polling unit of PDP’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in Idinrio community in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area, INEC officials arrived late.
Also, an angry voter, Christopher Adoghe was also heard berating officials of the INEC for delay in the start of accreditation and voting at wards 1, unit 3.
“We have been here since 7 O’clock yet, no sight of INEC officials. This is almost 10 and nothing is happening. We no go gree o! We no even see INEC. We no see anybody. Only security men.
“See as everybody sat but no sign of INEC. No accreditation, nothing is going on,” he said in a video obtained by our correspondent.
Missing Result Sheets
A case of missing results sheets was reported at at polling unit 1 in ward 8 of Orhionmwon LGA.
Yiaga Africa confirmed the case in its preliminary report.
Political Thuggery
The CSO also observed polling unit disruption, saying that suspected political thugs disrupted the voting process and chased voters from polling unit 5 in Uwessan ward 2, Esan central LGA.
“Voters halted the accreditation and voting process at the Army Children XI polling unit in Iwogban/Uteh Ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA because INEC officials arrived without the official stamp,” the organisation said.
“At Ebua Market Square in Uhunwode LGA, an altercation between APC and PDP supporters over alleged bribery led to the suspension of voting and the destruction of the voting cubicle.”
Yiaga Africa said suspected political thugs also disrupted voting at Anyaran Araromi Primary School in Akoko Edo LGA.
Conclusively, while INEC is expected to commence collation of the results for the poll on Sunday, the commission has however uploaded the result sheets of 4259 polling units on IReV. A total of 4519 polling units is expected to be uploaded.