Ize Iyamu beats APC to 1 vote in his unit & Adams to leaving one vote to PDP in his unit also... see results and more info

In other early results, the APC candidate won his unit by 160 votes to the 77 votes scored by the PDP candidate. The PDP candidate, however, won his unit (Unit 26 Ward 5 in Orhionmwon local government area) by 369 votes to the one vote recorded for the APC candidate. The outgoing governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole also won his voting centre in Ward 10, Unit 1, Iyamho in Etsako West LGA by 752 to 1 vote. In other early results, Chief Mike Oghiadhome, who served as Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, also won in his polling unit by 308 to 214, while Senator Matthew Urhoghide, the PDP campaign manager, won his Unit 9 by 139 to 51.

 

Against apprehension of violence, yesterday’s election relatively passed off smoothly with minimal reports of violence in the 18 local government areas of the state. The election was, however, largely marred by alleged inducement of voters with money being passed on to voters even on the queue. There was a heavy turnout of voters with many voters trekking long distances to their voting points. Godwin Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu Godwin Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu The heavy turnout led to an extension of voting time in Ikpeshi, in Akoko Edo Local Government Area, where voting was ongoing as at 6.30 p.m. Voting commenced quite early in many voting centres as materials and election officials arrived early enough with accreditation and voting commencing simultaneously.

Leading political officials, including the outgoing governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and the two major candidates, Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu all commended the turnout. There were few complaints about card reader malfunctioning in Emokpae Primary school Oredo, Ayogwiri in Etsako Central and some parts of Orhiowmon. However, INEC officials made frantic efforts to fix the situation. Obaseki voted at his unit 19, in Oredo ward 4 at about 10:30 am, while the candidate of the PDP, Pastor Ize-Iyamu voted at Unit 26, Ward 5, in Orhionmwon Local Government Area at about 9:53 a.m. Obaseki who arrived alongside his wife to vote, joined the queue and spent about 30 minutes before voting. Ize-Iyamu, however, got quick courtesy from those in his polling unit, as he on arrival, was immediately ushered by others on the queue to vote. The governorship candidate of the APGA, Osaro Onaiwu, who voted in Unit 27 Oredo Ward One, however, called on INEC to cancel the election, alleging inducement of voters as reasons. He told Vanguard, last night: “The turnout was impressive because Edo people wanted change. But the people where disenfranchised by the PDP and APC. This is not the democracy we laboured for. This is not the kind of democracy we want to leave for our children. “I asked for the cancellation since 2.p.m (yesterday) because there was no election. In my unit where I voted, the APC thugs went there, and they took the ballot box,” he alleged. Oyegun National chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, who voted in Ward 2 Oredo, described the process as very peaceful and transparent, saying “I am very pleasantly surprised because this is the best turn out I have ever experienced. It presumes that something good is about to happen, that people are keen to express their democratic options and that democracy has become totally wide spread. It is a very good omen.

Odigie-Oyegun, who after voting was confronted with the allegation of inducement of voters, rebuffed the insinuation even as he commended the conduct of the election. On the inducement of voters as was allegedly observed by some people at his polling unit, he said: “When I look at a place like this, I don’t know how you can give someone money. How do you know somebody has voted, given how secret it truly is, nobody will know how you’ve thumb printed. Please, is there somebody sharing money, let me go to him and take my own.” Obaseki Speaking shortly after casting his vote, Obaseki commended the conduct of the election and expressed confidence that it will remain peaceful.

According to him, “the election is very peaceful in most areas though we heard about an isolated incident somewhere in Edo Central. I think it has been taken care of by security agents. I believe that it will go well and for me, what is most important is that we did not lose blood because of elections. My hope is that we have a very peaceful election so that at the end of the day, we will strengthen our democracy. I am very optimistic of victory.” Ize-Iyamu Also speaking, Ize-Iyamu, who described the conduct of the election as peaceful, said: “We are praying to God that what we see here is the same thing we will see in other places. I am impressed. The turnout is massive, and the voters are orderly.

They have been using security agencies to harass our people; even till last night. “I have also spoken to their superior, who has assured us that those who are doing so are on their own, but, they will call them to order. We are also aware that governors of two APC states are in Benin. That is worrisome. Campaigns have ended. “But, in spite of all that, we have held that some persons had planned to smuggle in results at the wards and local government levels. But, I am confident that this one will not work,” he stated. Onaiwu On his part, governorship candidate of the APGA, Osaro Onaiwu called on INEC to cancel the election, alleging “financial inducement, holiganism, violence.