Edo LG poll: Okpebholo hails turnout as residents defy movement restriction

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has described the voter turnout in the ongoing Local Government Area election in the state as impressive, adding that it is a true reflection of his good governance.

Okpebholo, on Saturday, made the remark shortly after casting his vote at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School, in Esan Central Local Government Area.

He arrived at his polling unit at about 10:24 a.m. and joined other voters in the queue before exercising his civic responsibility at exactly 10:40 a.m.

The governor commended voters for their orderly conduct and said reports reaching him from other parts of the state indicated that the election was progressing peacefully.

“This election is very peaceful and it is going smoothly based on the feedback we are getting from the field.

“The turnout is very high. This is a demonstration of grassroots democracy.

“It shows that our people are interested in choosing those who will administer the affairs of their local governments.

“By the grace of God, a winner will emerge at the end of today’s election,” he said.

The governor urged residents to continue conducting themselves peacefully throughout the voting process and to await the official declaration of results by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that EDSIEC cleared 12 political parties for the election into the 18 local government areas of the state.

Passengers, motorists defy movement restriction in Benin

Most residents of Benin have defied the statewide restriction on vehicular and human movement imposed for the Edo Local Government Area elections holding on Saturday.

NAN reports that passengers and motorists were seen moving around parts of the Benin metropolis on Saturday morning.

NAN correspondents monitoring the exercise report that vehicular and commercial activities were observed in major areas, including Ring Road, Airport Road and the New Benin axis.

Commercial buses, tricycles and private vehicles were seen conveying passengers, while traders also opened shops in some parts of the city, in apparent disregard of the restriction order.

The movement occurred despite the directive by the Police Command in Edo restricting movement across the state from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 p.m. on election day, July 11.

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, had said in a statement on Friday that the restriction formed part of comprehensive security arrangements put in place in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful, orderly and credible electoral process.

She noted that the measure was aimed at preventing the infiltration of hoodlums and ensuring the unhindered movement of electoral materials and personnel.

In some areas, residents and commercial drivers claimed ignorance of the restriction, while others said they were going about their normal businesses because “nothing was happening” at their polling units.

A commercial driver at Ring Road, who identified himself simply as Edos, said: “We no hear say dem restrict movement today.

We dey hustle because we get family to feed.”

Another resident in New Benin said the low turnout at polling units might be responsible for the continued movement, as many voters stayed at home.

NAN also observed that voter turnout was generally low at many polling units visited across the metropolis.

The Edo council election is being held to elect chairmen and councillors across the 18 local government areas of the state.

As of 9:45 a.m., voting had not commenced at the polling units, while accreditation was still ongoing at some, with one or two police officers maintaining a presence to forestall a breakdown of law and order.

As of the time of filing this report, security personnel had not been seen at strategic points in the city monitoring compliance.

Auchi residents disregard restriction

Some residents and commercial vehicle operators in Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, have defied the movement restriction order issued by the police command in the state on Saturday.

NAN reports that the command had announced a statewide restriction of movement from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday as part of security measures for the local government election.

The restriction formed part of comprehensive security arrangements put in place in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful, orderly and secure electoral process.

However, NAN observed that commercial vehicles and motorcycle riders were operating freely in parts of Auchi and its environs.

At the popular Jattu Junction axis of the Auchi-Benin Highway, there was a beehive of activity as commuters boarded vehicles and motorcycles to their various destinations.

NAN also reports that the same situation was observed in Etsako East and Etsako Central local government areas, where motorists also defied the order.

Some commuters and motorists who spoke to NAN said they were not aware of the restriction order.

“I am not aware of the restriction order and the election that is why I am doing my business,” a motorcycle rider, Alli Usman said.

NAN recalls that the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission cleared 12 political parties to participate in the election across the 18 local government areas of the state.

(NAN)