Obaseki, wife vote as Ize-Iyamu expresses satisfaction with exercise

GOVERNOR Godwin Obaseki and his wife, Betsy Obaseki cast their vote at Unit 19, Ward 4, in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State.

Some hours into the voting exercise, however, there was pandemonium when a man identified as Jimoh created a scene that momentarily disrupted the exercise. The security operatives on the ground at Emokpae Model Primary School, however, intervened and restored calm to the polling unit.

It was gathered that the fracas was as a result of a misunderstanding between an agent of a political party and a supposed election observer.

This occurred while some officials of the INEC were setting up for the polling.

Earlier on at the Emokpae Model Primary School in Oredo Local Govt, security operatives and INEC officials try to organise voters who turned out in their numbers, waiting to vote.

 The party agent was said to have mistaken the observer for another party agent and challenged him for sitting on a seat meant for the electoral officials.

As a result, both men engaged in an altercation as other electorate at the venue watched.

The situation was later brought under control following the intervention of the security agencies on the ground.

Meanwhile, Obaseki’s counterpart and rival, Osagie Ize-Iyamu  of the APC, also cast his vote at Iguododo ward five, unit 26 of the Orhiomwon local government at 9:25am.

Speaking to journalists after exercising his franchise, Ize-Iyamu commended the INEC for a peaceful conduct of the electoral process.

He said the process ran smoothly as there was no thuggery or violence. “I am happy that INEC has a thermometer to check temperature and they also give out face masks to our people”, said Osagie-Iyamu.

He added, “We encourage our people to come out in batches so they can strictly adhere to the Covid-19 protocols of social distances.”

Osagie-Iyamu said he had not been able to get information about the conduct of the election across the state due to the poor network at his voting community.

He expressed optimism that he would emerge victorious in the election saying “I am confident of victory across the 18 LGAs of the State.”

Accreditation and voting commenced simultaneously at Ugboko ward 5, unit 26 at about 8: 46 am amidst the presence of security personnel.