Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Asue Ighodalo has raised an alarm over security threats during the ongoing gubernatorial elections in Edo State.
He alleged that the police had arrested a party member in Ward 8 Unit 3.
“In Uromi unit 3, one of our supporters was arrested there about an hour ago by men in mufti carrying guns. Nobody should carry guns into a polling unit. That is against the law. But you just see people behaving indiscriminately, oppressing and trying to intimidate our folks,” he said.
It was earlier reported that Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were yet to show up at Ighodalo’s polling unit.
Idinrio community in Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area is as calm and quiet as a graveyard.
Our correspondent on ground at the polling unit said there was no sign of INEC officials and other political party stakeholders.
An angry voter, Christopher Adoghe was later 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 an outburst.
The gubernatorial elections in Edo State are holding today, with over 2.2 million permanent voter cards collected.
Candidates of the parties —Senator Monday Okpebholo (All Progressives Congress), Asue Ighodalo (Peoples Democratic Party), and Olumide Akpata (Labour Party)— are hoping to get the highest number of votes.
The winner will occupy Osadebe House, the government house, which will be vacated on November 11 by the incumbent, Governor Godwin Obaseki, who has served two tenures.
