Edo State witnessed a disturbing incident during the ongoing by-election as tensions flared at a polling unit in the Egor Local Government Area. A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) agent was reportedly attacked by a group of agitated voters who accused him of hoarding Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), thereby obstructing their right to vote.
Eyewitnesses say the confrontation began early Saturday morning when several voters, unable to locate their PVCs, alleged that the PDP agent had withheld them to manipulate voter turnout. The situation escalated quickly, resulting in physical altercations and the intervention of security personnel.
Officers of the Nigeria Police Force and members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were deployed to restore order. The PDP agent was escorted from the scene for his safety, and investigations have been launched to determine the veracity of the allegations.
INEC Statement Pending
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. However, sources within the commission confirmed that they are aware of the situation and are working to ensure that the integrity of the electoral process is maintained.
Local PDP representatives have condemned the attack, calling for calm and urging voters to allow due process to take its course. Opposition parties have seized on the incident to question the transparency of the election, demanding a thorough probe into the handling of PVCs across the state.