The inspection of materials from the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election was abruptly postponed indefinitely on Thursday after sporadic gunfire erupted outside the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Benin City.
The incident is believed to involve suspected thugs amid a clash between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The inspection, initially set to commence on Wednesday, faced delays after the APC raised objections concerning the procedure.
The party argued that the inspection could not begin with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, as granted by the tribunal to the PDP, and insisted it should start with the voter register.
As tensions escalated on Thursday, the APC’s Edo State Chairman, Jarrett Tenebe, submitted a petition to INEC, alleging that BVAS machines and voter registers were brought into the INEC complex in vehicles belonging to the Edo State Government. He insisted that their concerns be addressed before proceeding with the inspection.
In response, PDP representatives dismissed the APC’s claims as unfounded, insisting the inspection should proceed as planned.
The disagreement led to chaos, culminating in the sound of gunfire outside the INEC office.
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Due to security concerns, INEC officials decided to adjourn the inspection indefinitely. Victor Ohionsumua, counsel for the APC, stated, “We will only return for the inspection once our petition has been addressed.”
Comrade Kelly Ogbaloi, factional Chairman of the Labour Party in Edo, voiced his concerns over the atmosphere at the INEC office, describing it as unsuitable for the inspection.
He emphasized the need for a level playing field for all parties involved in the election process.
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