0919: Several areas in Agenegbode yet to start accreditation. Accreditation is expected to run between 0800 and noon. As of 0917, no INEC official has arrived at Garrick Memorial, Ekenhuan Road, Benin City. Crowd getting angry.
In Ikpoba Hill, accreditation started promptly at 0800hours. In Ekenhuan, as of 0906hours, no INEC official has reported at any of the polling units.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Kassim Gaidam, has urged voters to “cast their votes and leave” for ‘security reasons’.
Heavy military presence all over Benin City. At the INEC office at Ramat Park, a policeman who spoke on the condition of anonimity claimed that they had information that hoodlums from other states had come in to disrupt the poll, but assured that there waas noting to fear.
In the build up to the election, there’s been a lot of fear. Movement is restricted this morning, but people began to close up shop yesterday.
People gathered at?Igbesamwan Primary School in the state capital quite early to exercise their rights.
Welcome to our live coverage of the elections in Edo state. Seven candidates are contesting the Edo state governorship election today:
Adams Oshiomhole – Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)
Andrew Igwemoh – Labour Party (LP)
Charles Airhiarvbere – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Frank Ukonga – Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP).
Paul Orumwense – ?National Conscience Party (NCP)
Roland Izevbuwa – Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)
Solomon Edebiri – All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP)
Notes: The CPC candidate stepped down on Wednesday, but his name remains on the ballot.
Sly is a social commentator who resides in Lagos and currently works as a relationship manager for a financial institution.
