Edo Election: Oshiomhole expresses dismay over thugs’ indiscriminate shooting, snatching of card readers

Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has commended the electorate in the state for turning out in large numbers to cast their votes in Wednesday’s governorship election in the state.

Oshiomhole made the commendation shortly after casting his vote at Unit 2, Ward 10, in his Iyamho community in Estako West Local Government Area of the state at about 11 am.

“I am very impressed with the turnout of voters in these polling units. What is happening in these three polling units is a perfect example of what election should be,” he said.

He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for adopting simultaneous accreditation and voting, adding that it was an improvement on the part of the commission’s performance.

“I have always wondered why INEC wanted people to get accredited first and vote hours later.

“The poor people who are used to hardship had to carry the burden of our democracy by waiting the whole day.

“I believe INEC has made a sensible improvement in the election process. This is a civilised way of doing election and a victory for the middlemen who cannot wait on the line.

“God wants us to enjoy democracy and I believe we the politicians should allow the people to have that.

“My joy is that people are ready to celebrate democracy by the way they have queued for the election,” the governor said.

He, however, expressed sadness over the alleged snatching of card readers from electoral officers in some parts of Edo Central Senatorial District by some thugs who reportedly shot indiscriminately.

“I don’t know how that happened because there ought to have been enough security in the polling units.

“At this point, it will be too difficult for one to draw a conclusion because this happened in only one unit of the over 2,000 polling units in the state,” he said.