Tensions flared at the Edo State INEC Headquarters on Wednesday when thugs linked to the APC, led by Jarrett Tenebe, stormed the Commission’s office in Benin to obstruct the inspection of electoral materials from the controversial September 21st Edo governorship election.
The disruption came on the heels of a statement issued by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Edo State, Dr. Anugbom Onuoha, which had extended an open invitation to “all political parties and their representatives” to participate in the inspection of the materials—a move seen by many as an attempt to muddy the waters. Despite the fact that the PDP had secured a court order specifically to inspect the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines, the REC’s statement allowed the APC to send a delegation of lawyers and youths, led by the APC State Chairman, to interfere in the process.
The situation escalated when INEC’s Head of Legal, Mrs. Rita Amadi, announced that the inspection of the BVAS machines was to begin, as mandated by the court order. Jarrett Tenebe, however, forcefully objected, insisting that the inspection should start with the voter register and ballot papers before the BVAS machines could be scrutinized. His demands quickly led to chaos as APC members surrounded Mrs. Amadi and began pushing members of the PDP delegation. In the commotion, one of the PDP’s forensic examiners had their phone smashed while police officers looked on without intervening.
The APC Chairman then moved for the adjournment of the inspection exercise until the next day, Thursday, as he claimed not to be in possession of his copy of the voters register. Mrs. Amadi curiously agreed to his demand; despite being reminded by the PDP legal representative that the court order mandated the examination of the voters register used by INEC in the elections; and not that held by political parties.
Peoplesmind
