By Tosin Olatokunbo
Casting his vote early today in the Edo state governorship Election Governor Godwin Obaseki has issued a very scathing remark against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC for the shoddy conduct of the election across the state.
The state helmsman who’s squared up against the candidate of the All Progressive Congress, Pastor Oasgie Ize-Iyamu in the make or mar election observed, while speaking with journalists after casting his vote at Polling Unit 19, Ward 4, Oredo Local Government Area, that the situation could lead to disenfranchisement of many PDP supporters who are trying to vote for him.
The state governor complained bitterly of card readers, which he said are not functioning as expected and could slow down voting in his strongholds.
Obaseki said “I expected that INEC would have prepared better for this election. I waited for one and half hour on the queue before exercising my franchise, it’s a bit disappointing.
“Giving that this is a sole day election, I expected better planning for this election. Card readers were very slow and that’s the situation everywhere.”
His opponent in the APC had earlier voted and commended the election to be very smooth.
Meanwhile, the controversy which broke out yesterday between Rivers state governor, Nyesom Wike and the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, after the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu directed the governor to leave the state has yet to settle.
The Rivers governor is the Chairman of the PDP Campaign Committee for the crucial election and had on Friday relocated to the state alongside other governors from the party to monitor the election.
Both Governors Hope Uzodinma of Imo state and Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state are also in the state inn their positions as Chairman and Deputy Chairman of APC Campaign for the election of Pastor Ize Iyamu.
But while speaking with Channels Television Friday, Governor Wike said he rebuffed the IGP order, because he was on a working visit to the state in his position as Chairman of PDP Campaign Committee for the election of Governor Obaseki.
Governor Wike had earlier warned PDP supporters in the state to defend their votes against alleged plot of the ruling party to rig the election in favor of its candidate.
