The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Three Over Vote-Buying in the ongoing Edo Governorship Election. In a significant move to curb electoral malpractices. The arrests occurred at 10:00 am in the Egor Local Government Area of the state. The suspects, two men and one woman are alleged to have been involved in vote-buying activities.
However, some residents in the area have protested the arrests, claiming the suspects are being unfairly targeted. This development comes as the state votes to elect it’s next governor, with 17 candidates vying for the position. The main contenders are Asue Ighodalo of the People's Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
The election has been marked by tensions, with concerns over potential violence and voter inducement. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and other groups have called for a peaceful and credible election. The Police Service Commission has also deployed personnel to monitor the conduct of police officers during the election.
Meanwhile, in the early hours of the election, the Edo State governorship election got off to a slow start in some areas on Saturday, with voting delayed in Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Areas.
As of 9:28 am, polling units in Oredo Ward 12, Unit 5, had not commenced voting due to the late arrival of security agents, according to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ad hoc staff. Voters, including youth and elderly citizens, waited patiently for the exercise to begin. In contrast, Ologbosere Primary School, Ugbekun Ward 7, Units 16-39 in Ikpoba-Okha LGA, recorded a large voter turnout. However, voting was delayed at Unit 39 due to a malfunctioning Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Electoral officers reported that the faulty machine had been taken to the INEC office for replacement.
The area witnessed brisk commercial activity, with traders selling food, drinks, and other consumables.
Security was tight, with personnel from the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Service Corps, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed to maintain order.
Read More
