Asue Ighodalo addressing the media after casting his vote at Esan South East LGA on September 21, 2024 | Photo: Channelstv
By Bright Obigbolor
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the September 21, 2024 election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of delaying voting in his strongholds in Edo Central Senatorial District.
Ighodalo made the allegation after casting his vote at Idionrio Primary School, Ward 1 Unit 3 in Ewohimi, in the Esan South East Local Government Area.
The PDP flagbearer and others voted around midday due to the lateness of INEC officials.
Addressing the media at the voting venue, Ighodalo said: “They [INEC officials] are here now and getting ready to start the process; once they start, our people will vote as soon as possible.
“At the moment, we are seeing that in many of our strongholds, there are delays, they don’t have enough presiding officers but again, it’s early days so let’s see what happens in the next few hours.”
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He said that there were rumours that INEC had compromised in some polling units, stressing that he prefered to keep an open mind and give the electoral umpire the benefit of the doubt to create a level playing field for all contestants.
“I am hearing flickers of such activities this morning but again I want to give them the benefit of the doubt. Let’s see how things unfold over the next few hours,” he said.
INEC has since extended voting period in places where the process started late.
The people of Edo State in South-South Nigeria are out to elect a new governor to succeed the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki, whose constitutional eight-year double terms will end on November 12, 2024.
Edo is one of the eight states where governorship elections are held off-season due to litigations and court judgements. Others are Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo.
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