INEC Collation Interrupted as APC Allegedly Opens Fire, PDP Agents Barred

By Zakariyya Aliyu Gwaram

The collation of results for the Edo State Governorship election has been marred by violent disruptions in several local government areas, raising concerns about the integrity of the process.

In Edo South Senatorial District, the collation process in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Egor Local Government Areas was illegally halted and moved to the State Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin City.

This move, reportedly ordered by an Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, contravenes the statutory collation procedures, which dictate that results should be tallied at the respective local government collation centers.

Affected party agents and representatives were instructed to gather at the INEC State Headquarters in Aduwawa, Ikpoba-Okha LGA to continue the collation exercise. However, upon arrival, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) agents were denied entry into the INEC office, while All Progressives Congress (APC) agents were granted unrestricted access, violating both the Electoral Act’s neutrality requirement and election regulations.

Later that evening, around 9 p.m., senior officials of the APC, along with police officers, allegedly stormed the Etsako West Local Government collation center, opening fire indiscriminately. The attack left the council’s Vice Chairman, Hon. Benji Ojetu, critically injured from a gunshot wound. Due to the incident, the results from Wards 7 and 11 were not submitted.

At the INEC State Office, a 2km-long barricade was established by the police, severely restricting movement around the area. Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State had to personally intervene, protesting the irregularities in the collation process before being allowed to enter the INEC premises to express the PDP’s concerns.

At the time of the interruption, the following results had been collated:

– Esan Central:

APC – 8,618

PDP – 10,990

– Esan North:

APC – 10,648

PDP – 12,522

– Esan South East:

APC – 8,398

PDP – 14,199

– Esan West:

APC – 12,952

PDP – 11,004

– Gueben:

APC – 5,407

PDP – 8,470

– Etsako Central:

APC – 10,990

PDP – 8,618

– Orhionmwon:

APC – 16,059

PDP – 16,614

Ovia North East:

APC – 13,225

PDP – 15,311 

The collation process remains tense, with many calling for a fair and transparent conclusion to the election. Further updates are expected as the situation unfolds.