Edo LG Poll: Residents defy movement restriction in Benin, Auchi

Residents, commercial drivers and motorcycle operators in parts of Edo State on Saturday defied the restriction on vehicular and human movement imposed for the local government elections.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that movement and commercial activities continued in parts of Benin City, Auchi and adjoining communities despite the statewide restriction announced by the Edo State Police Command.

The police had restricted movement from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday as part of security measures for the council elections across the state’s 18 local government areas.

The command said the restriction was introduced in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful, orderly and credible electoral process, protect election personnel and materials, and prevent the infiltration of hoodlums.

In Auchi, the administrative headquarters of Etsako West Local Government Area, commercial vehicles and motorcycle operators were seen moving freely in several locations.

At Jattu Junction along the Auchi-Benin highway, commuters boarded vehicles and motorcycles to different destinations as normal commercial activities continued.

A similar situation was observed in parts of Etsako East and Etsako Central local government areas, where motorists also disregarded the restriction.

Some commuters and transport operators said they were unaware of the police directive.

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

In Benin City, commercial buses, tricycles and private vehicles were also seen conveying passengers around Ring Road, Airport Road and the New Benin axis.

Some traders opened their shops, while residents continued with normal activities in apparent disregard for the restriction.

A commercial driver at Ring Road, who identified himself simply as Edos, said he had not heard about the order.

“We no hear say dem restrict movement today. We dey hustle because we get family to feed,” he said.

Another resident in New Benin attributed the continued movement to low voter turnout, saying many residents remained at home because little electoral activity was taking place at their polling units.

NAN observed that voter turnout was generally low in many polling units visited in Benin metropolis.

As of 9:45 a.m., voting had not commenced in some polling units, while accreditation was ongoing in others.

One or two police officers were seen at some voting centres to maintain law and order, but security personnel were not observed at several strategic locations enforcing compliance with the movement restriction.

The Edo State Independent Electoral Commission cleared 12 political parties to participate in the elections to elect chairmen and councillors across the state’s 18 local government areas.