LIVE UPDATES: Edo Voters Choose Next Governor

LIVE UPDATES: Edo Voters Choose Next Governor, Saturday, September 21, 2024

10:38am

Movement Restriction Leaves Motorists, Commuters Stranded in Auchi

Commuters and motorists trying to beat Saturday’s Edo governorship election movement restriction got stranded at the Jattu junction on Benin-Auchi-Okene highway of Etsako West Local Government Area.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the affected persons had anticipated that enforcement of the order would start from 8 a.m, only to discover that security agents had blocked strategic routes before 7 am.

A NAN correspondent covering the election reports that apart from the police, personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Services, and other paramilitary agencies were part of the movement restriction team.

NAN further reports that a significant number of heavy duty trucks, smaller vehicles, motorcycles, and commuters were seen on long queues at the junction.

Some of the drivers who spoke with NAN claimed they were travelling from Abuja to Delta, but were refused passage by the security personnel.

Similarly, some of the commuters stranded at the junction said they had gone out of their houses to buy food stuff for breakfast before going out to the polling stations to vote not knowing that they would be caught up in the web of the movement restriction.

Mr Musa Adamu, a truck driver told NAN that the army refused them passage in spite of explanations that they were only passing through Edo en route to Delta.

“I am coming from Abuja going to Delta and I had felt we could cross Edo before 8 a.m.

“I am surprised that on getting to Jattu junction we were stopped by the military personnel who barricaded the road, and refused us access,” he said

Another motorist, Hakeem Saliu said he left Benin early with the intention of crossing the junction, but was held here before 7 a.m.

“The security personnel said that we should remain here until the election is over and that is unfair”Saliu said. (NAN)

10:38am

Heavy Downpour Delays Arrival of INEC Officials in Okaegben

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC) and election materials have yet to arrive at Idrion Vocational Centre, a voting centre at Okaegben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo.

Dr Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Edo governorship election, is expected to vote at Okaegben ward one, polling unit 3, located at a vocational centre in Ewohimi, Edo Central Senatorial District.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent, who visited the centre at 8:15 a.m. on Saturday, observed that eligible voters gathered in clusters waiting for the arrival of INEC officials and materials.

NAN also reports security personnel have also arrived waiting for INEC officials amid heavy downpour.

As at the time of filing this report, the rain, which started at 6:30 a.m., has not abated.(NAN)

09:58am

Voting began at Ologboshere Primary School, Ugbeku, Ikpoba LGA ward 7, unit 16 – 39

According to one of the party agents, voting started at 8:00 am.

Even with early morning drizzle, voters were still on queue to exercise there franchise.

The ward id where the PDP deputy governorship candidate votes.

09:33am

Voting Yet to Commence at Oredo Ward 12 Unit 5

As at 9:07 am, voting is yet to commence at Oredo ward 12, unit 5.

Large number of voters were seen waiting patiently for INEC officials to commence the exercise

08 : 15 am

Heavy Security Presence in Benin

Security personnel were seen mounting roadblocks on roads in Benin as early as 6:00 a.m., ahead of the Edo governorship election, which is set to begin at 8:00 a.m.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security personnel in the wee hours of the day began stopping and searching vehicles at the roadblocks, as well asking the occupants questions in order to ensure security, law, and order during the election.

Some commercial bus drivers who wanted to make quick business, however, managed to avoid the roadblocks to evade questioning by security officials.

The popular Ring Road had a notable presence of military personnel, particularly at the Sapele Road, Forestry Junction, and Sapele Road axes, with an armoured tank stationed at the city centre.

There was also a heavy presence of security personnel at Okida Road, Ekewaun Road and at the INEC office at Ikpoba Hill.

NAN also observed roadblocks at the Agbado Market area and the Ring Road section of Akpakpava and Sapele Roads.

There were a few vehicular movements, with a few people, likely voters, seen walking along the roads.

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Patience Ndidi of the Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, is the sole female candidate in the Edo governorship election.

Other candidates are:

Uwaifo Osaro — Action Alliance (AA)

Aner Aliu — Social Democratic Party (SDP)

The local government areas

Edo has 18 LGAs namely:

– Akoko-Edo

– Egor

– Esan Central

– Esan North-East

– Esan South-East

– Esan West

– Etsako Central

– Etsako East

– Etsako West

– Igueben

– Ikpoba-Okha

– Oredo

– Orhionmwon

– Ovia North-East

– Ovia South-West

– Owan East

– Owan West

– Uhunmwonde

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Voters waiting for INEC officials

Voters waiting for INEC officials at Iyamoh Primary School, Ward 10 PU1, Etsako West, Edo State, where Senator Adams Oshiomhole is expected to cast his vote.

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Police arrest two political thugs with guns

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of two political thugs during an overnight raid across several locations in Edo State.

This was confirmed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

According to Adejobi, the suspects — Edwin Obanor, 43, and Audu Tajudeen, 41 — were apprehended in separate incidents.

The police, acting on a tip-off about plans to incite violence during the election, recovered three cut-to-size locally fabricated pistols from Obanor and one locally made gun from Tajudeen.

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