Edo Governorship Election Begins Amid Massive Security, Movement Restriction

The governorship election in Edo begins peacefully with impressive voters’ turnout in most wards across the state.

Although the situation does not suggest the likelihood of violence, there is massive security presence in cities, towns and villages.

With total compliance to restriction in movement across the state, the processes of making the election peaceful and credible is uninterrupted.

Major streets, especially in Benin, did not witness the usual traffic as the residents move to their respective polling stations for accreditation.

Also reports from other areas of Edo, such as Uzzebba, Igueben, Auchi, Ososo, Ekpoma, Jattu and Ughoton, among other towns and villages, say there is impressive turnout and orderly situation. Edo has 193 wards with 18 local government areas.

In most polling units, security operatives arrived to their duty points to enforce restriction of movement on people and vehicles during election.

It is observed that security operatives were present as early as 6a.m in strategic locations in the city centres of the three senatorial districts of Edo South, Central and North.

Boundaries, including Edo South — Idogbo, Etete/Adesuwa, Oluku, Upper Siluko, Ologbo and Eyean — are supervised by security personnel that ask motorists without movement permit to park and check for Permanent Voter Card (PVC) to pass.

The situation is similar in Ekpoma, Iruepken in Edo Central, Okepella, Jattu junction and Agbede in Edo North.