Violence erupted during Saturday’s by elections in Edo State as reports emerged of thugs and uniformed members of Edo State’s vigilante network storming polling units in several local government areas, disrupting voting and intimidating voters.
In reaction, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to make an “unambiguous public declaration” directing security forces to remain neutral in the ongoing senatorial and House of Representatives by elections in Edo Central and Ovia Federal Constituency.
In Esan Central, the PDP alleged that security forces arrested the two sons of party chieftain Senator Odia, while uniformed members of the Edo State Security Network, widely seen as a state backed vigilante outfit, prevented voters from entering polling stations. Senator Odia accused the police, security forces, and vigilantes of beating voters and blocking access to voting centres across the local government.
In Ovia South West, PDP House of Representatives candidate Hon. Destiny Enabulele was allegedly assaulted by thugs shortly after casting his vote. Enabulele claims the attack was carried out by men loyal to the Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
The PDP further alleged that uniformed vigilantes had been deployed in both Esan West and Esan Central, where they were openly turning away voters. Governor Monday Okpebholo, who hails from Esan Central, has been urged by the PDP to condemn the violence and threats allegedly made by his supporters and to fulfil his duty as the state’s chief security officer by ensuring a peaceful and credible election.
PDP State Chairman Dr Tony Aziegbemi said Governor Okpebholo, with the support of Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and other APC chieftains, had “effectively invaded Edo State to personally coordinate this assault on democracy.”
“Democracy is about the will of the people freely expressed at the ballot box, not the will of desperate politicians imposed at gunpoint,” the statement read. “The security forces must not, in any form, become the armed wing of the APC in Edo State.”
The PDP said it had directed members, supporters, and “well meaning citizens” to resist any attempt to rig the elections and to protect their votes “by all and any means necessary permitted by law.” The situation in Edo remains tense as voting continues and reports of disruptions persist.