Thousands of voters across Edo State turned out on Saturday to elect chairmen in the state’s 18 local government areas and 192 ward councillors, as Governor Monday Okpebholo hailed the exercise as peaceful and orderly.
The election recorded impressive voter turnout in many communities, with security personnel maintaining order at polling units while eligible voters queued to cast their ballots.
Governor Okpebholo voted at Polling Unit 2, Ward 2, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area, where he described the turnout as encouraging and expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the poll.
Arriving at his polling unit at about 10:24 a.m., the governor joined other voters in the queue before casting his vote at about 10:40 a.m. He later interacted with residents and journalists, saying reports from across the state indicated that the election was progressing peacefully.
“This election is very peaceful and it is going smoothly based on the feedback we are getting from the field,” he said.
“The turnout is very high. This is a demonstration of grassroots democracy. It shows that our people are interested in choosing those who will administer the affairs of their local governments. By the grace of God, a winner will emerge at the end of today’s election.”
The governor urged residents to remain peaceful and allow the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) to conclude the process and announce the official results.
Accredited election observers also gave the exercise a positive assessment.
Executive Director of the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens, Comrade Fidelis Nwoke, said observer groups deployed across the state had not recorded any major security breaches or disruptions.
According to him, polling units monitored in Udomi, Igueben and other communities witnessed peaceful and orderly voting.
“My organisation and several other observer groups have been fully accredited to monitor the Edo State local government election. Reports coming in from different parts of the state indicate that the process has been peaceful so far,” Nwoke said.
Security personnel were visibly deployed across polling centres, while voters were seen casting their ballots without intimidation.
At Udomi Primary School, where Governor Okpebholo voted, residents commended the orderly conduct of the election.
Some voters, including Christopher Ejodamen, Timothy Uwaya and Lucky Okoawo, said they voted freely without harassment, adding that the peaceful atmosphere encouraged greater participation in the electoral process.
The Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Blessing Sheriff Agbebaku, also cast his vote at Uben Primary School, Polling Unit 10, Ward 2, Uhonmora, in Owan West Local Government Area, where he similarly described the election as peaceful.
Saturday’s election was conducted across the 18 local government areas under the supervision of the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission, with security agencies, election observers and journalists monitoring the exercise.
