ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN EDO STATE

By Bamidele Udoh

The Local Government rerun elections held in Esan Central Local government Area of Edo State on the 10th  of March 2016 were marred

Festus Enegho (PDP Leader Edo Central LGA)

by irregularities, large scale violence, professional misconduct and wanton destruction of government properties. 

There were reported cases of open bias by agents of the two dominant political parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the report released by CLEEN Foundation, a Civil Society
Organisation, reports has it that violence erupted when  one Festus Enegho who is a party agent of The People’s Democratic Party(PDP) challenged the authenticity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) party agent who was not carrying a valid agent tag. 

The little argument resulted in a free for all between both party agents in ward II.

It was also reported that agents of the APC who had more agents around dealt heavily on the PDP boys. 

In a reappraisal attack, Festus Enegho mobilised his colleagues from other wards and this led to a violent clash between both parties. 

The violence which eventually spread across the Local Government led to destruction of election materials and burning of Government vehicles as a way of protesting the crass intention to rig the election by the ruling party, APC. Many innocent people were also reported to have been affected by the violence.

Responding to the incidence, the DSS of the State has announced the perpetrators of the ills wanted including the arrow head of the clash, Mr. Festus Enegho who is at large.

Members of the public have also been advised to give useful information that could lead to the hideouts of the perpetrators.