Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has commended the enthusiasm of Edo voters who came out en masse to cast their votes in the state’s ongoing governorship election despite the heavy rain.
Obaseki, who arrived his polling unit at ward 4, unit 19 at Emokpae Primary School in Oredo Local Government Area at 11:50am, did his accreditation and voted at about 11:57am before granting interview to journalists who had been waiting since 7:30am.
The governor commended the electorate and young Edo voters for their determination and interest in the election, defying the rain to exercise their franchise to elect their governor for the next four years.
“You can see that despite the weather, the turnout and enthusiasm of the electorate is high. The ballot box in my polling unit is full and clearly it shows people have been interested in this election,” Obaseki said.
“People are very interested in this election because it’s a watershed for us in Edo State. I’m not surprised because a lot of young people are here to come and express themselves and fulfil their civic obligation.
“For now I’m glad with what I see and the election process in my unit has been smooth and efficient but I just hope that the collation process will be the same and also peaceful and hope that results counting will not disrupted,” he said.
On some arrests made by the military, Governor Obaseki commended the military for the arrest, saying the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, is living up to his words.
“The military has done a good job and has done well. The Chief of Defence Staff came to see me and gave assurances that his men were fully on ground. I’m glad what they are doing but not too sure of what the police are doing at this time.
“As I speak, I hear that there are some people who claimed that they are policemen at Ogbe polling field trying to arrest people on election day at their polling units.
“We are glad at the deployment of our agents and our situation room is open and we are receiving reports all over and hope for the best,” Obaseki said.
