Widespread Voters' apathy marks Parliamentary election in Edo

• As Police, suspected thugs harass journalists

From our news desk, Benin

One of the many empty polling stations in Benin-City on Saturday, 18 March, 2023

Gov.Godwin Obaseki and behind him, his wife, Mrs. Besty Obaseki

The House of Assembly election in Edo State has been marred with widespread Voters' apathy.

Many of the polling stations across the State were near empty, almost throughout with only members of a particular political party on ground. 

We observed, that the Obedients who massively voted for the Peter Obi led Labour Party in the national elections, were absent; also non party members and supporters largely populated by the women folks, and youths.

We gathered, that they are disenchanted with the election believing that their votes were not allowed to count the last time hence there was no need coming out to do what many termed as time wasting.

The prevailing situation may likely favour a particular party whose members were obviously happy saying: "in the last national elections, we allowed them have their way. But today, it is our turn."

Also, there was tightened security across the State; combination of operatives of the army, police, and others.

There were reports of armed thugs attack of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camp, Uhogua Village, Ovia - North - East Local Government Area, during the election.

Also, journalists were victims of harassment by suspected agents of the ruling PDP, and Police.

Agents of the political party threatened to beat up a team of journalists for doing their legitimate job.

As Police in a Sienna car without a number plate stopped a team of journalists on monitoring of the election proceedings, and thoroughly harassed them also for carrying out their legitimate job.

A leader of the team, who had no name tag  but managed to simply identify himself as CSP Isah told the journalists; that they had no right to be on the road.

Even when the journalists protested and tried to properly identify themselves, the CSP obviously in anger for nothing shouted at them saying: 'supposed you people are Kidnapped?"

Amidst the ensuing hot argument; he went on to threaten arresting leaders of the journalists just for no offence but when he sensed the situation was going to deteriorate to a bigger crisis, he tactically beat a retreat.