INEC cites APC-PDP clash for indefinite postponement of Edo election materials inspection

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has indefinitely postponed the inspection of election materials used in the Edo governorship election, following violent clashes between supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the commission’s secretariat.

INEC initially scheduled the inspection for Wednesday after the PDP claimed it was blocked from inspecting the materials on Monday.

However, the process was delayed to Thursday after the APC raised objections, accusing INEC of transporting the bimodal voter accreditation system (BVAS) to its secretariat using vehicles owned by the Edo government.

The APC also argued that it did not receive sufficient notice for the inspection.

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PDP representatives, including Goodluck Osaretin, criticized the APC’s objections, accusing the party of attempting to obstruct their access to the election materials. “We are not surprised by what is happening,” Osaretin stated, expressing frustration over the delays.

Tensions boiled over on Thursday when violence erupted as the inspection was about to begin. Gunshots were heard, forcing INEC to suspend the process indefinitely to ensure the safety of its staff and party representatives.

The inspection of the election materials is crucial for the PDP’s legal challenge against the results of the governorship election.

PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo is contesting the victory of APC’s Monday Okpebholo, the Edo governor-elect, and the delay could impact the party’s preparations for filing its case with the election tribunal.