The inspection of election materials for the September 21st governorship election in Edo State was stalled due to rising tensions between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). Allegations surfaced that vehicles with house plate numbers were seen entering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office carrying election materials, prompting further complications during the inspection process.
The inspection, initially scheduled for Wednesday, faced objections from the APC regarding the order of inspection, insisting that it should begin with the Voters Register, as per a court order they obtained. After negotiations, all parties agreed to commence the inspection on Thursday.
However, as the process was set to begin, chaos erupted. The APC acting State Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, raised a petition alleging that BIVAS machines and Voters Registers were brought into the INEC complex with state government vehicles, creating immediate contention. The APC insisted that their petition must be addressed before any inspection could take place. This was met with resistance from the PDP representatives, who pushed for the inspection to proceed.
Due to the ongoing disagreement, INEC decided to adjourn the inspection indefinitely. Following the adjournment, the APC’s counsel, Barr. Victor Ohionsumua, stated that the party would only return for the inspection once their petition had been addressed.
Ohionsumua elaborated, saying, “The state APC Chairman submitted a petition to the state INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Onuoha Anugbum, the Commissioner of Police, and the Department of State Services (DSS) in Edo, noting the suspicious entry of BIVAS machines and Voters’ Registers into the INEC complex.”
As tensions escalated, gunshots were reportedly heard outside the INEC office, further adding to the turmoil surrounding the inspection process.