By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
The Edo State All Progressive Congress (APC) Chairman, Jeret Tenebe attempted to vote at polling unit 6 in Ikabigbo without a voter’s card during the ongoing governorship election but was stopped.
His efforts were stalled by electorates who insisted on proper identification, preventing him from casting his ballot.
According to a video seen by SaharaReporters, the confrontation resulted in chaos at the polling unit, showing ongoing tensions regarding vote buying and voter identification in parts of Edo State.
“Edo APC Chairman, Jeret Tenebe, wanted to vote at unit 6 Ikabigbo without a voters card but was prevented from doing so by electorates at the unit.”
Meanwhile, it was earlier reported that a socio-political organisation, YIAGA, had condemned vote-buying in parts of Edo State in the ongoing governorship election.
According to the organisation, party agents were seen bribing voters with N10,000 each in some areas its election monitors covered.
“#WatchingTheVote reported incidents of vote buying in Ikpoba/Okha, Igueben, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Owan West, and Uhunmodi LGAs.”a post on X handle reads.
“APC and PDP party agents were seen bribing voters with cash (N10,000) at the Igueben – Idumoka Primary School polling unit (12-10-03-004) Ward 1 in Igueben LGA.”
It also stated that party agents were seen handing out cash gifts.
Voters halted the accreditation and voting process in the Ikpoba—Army Children XI polling unit in Iwogban/Uteh Ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA because INEC officials arrived without the official stamp.
“Party agents for APC and PDP were also seen handing out cash gifts (N10,000) in Enikaro – Enikaro Primary School IX Polling Unit (12-11-07-009) in Ugbekun ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA.”
Other issues noted was halting of accreditation and voting process in the Ikpoba, Army Children XI polling unit in Iwogban/Uteh Ward, Ikpoba/Okha LGA because INEC officials arrived without the official stamp.
“At Ebua Market Square in Uhunwode LGA, an altercation between APC and PDP supporters over alleged bribery led to the suspension of voting and the destruction of the voting cubicle. Political thugs also disrupted voting at Anyaran Araromi Primary School in Akoko Edo LGA.” a post by the organisation read.
There have been controversies and reports of heavy vote buying in the ongoing Edo state governorship election.