The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Ovia federal constituency, Johnny Aikpitanyi, has raised concerns about the by-election in Edo State.
According to Aikpitanyi, there was massive presence of vigilantes and thugs at polling units, particularly unit 7 in Oghede, Ovia North East Local Government Area, which hindered free expression of voters’ will.
Aikpitanyi questioned the logic behind having over armed 150 vigilantes in a polling unit.
“How can you see more than 150 vigilantes holding guns in a polling unit? It doesn’t make sense,” he said, accusing the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of invading polling units with thugs and vigilantes.
The PDP candidate emphasized that if the APC feels confident about their performance and popularity, they should allow voters to freely cast their ballots without intimidation.
“If you know your party is good, if you know your party has done well, then why are you afraid? Why the vigilantes? Why the thugs everywhere? Allow people to go vote,” Aikpitanyi lamented.
Reports indicate that voters were tear-gassed and manhandled by thugs, and ballot boxes were destroyed.
Despite these challenges, Aikpitanyi has instructed his supporters to remain calm and follow the rules, opting to address the issue through the proper channels.
This incident highlighted concerns about election, violence and thuggery in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In recent years, similar incidents had been reported, with election observers noting that violence and intimidation can undermine the legitimacy of elections.
