#EdoDecides2024: Obaseki Applauds High Voter Turnout Despite Rain, Praises Strong Security Measures

Outgoing governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, is excited at high voter turnout despite the heavy rain.

Obaseki, who arrived his polling unit at ward 4, unit 19, at Emokpae Primary School, Benin City in Oredo local government area at 11:50am, did his accreditation and voted at about 11:57am before granting interview to journalists who had been waiting for his arrival since 7:30am.

The governor commended the electorate and young Edo voters for their determination and interest in the election, defying the rain to perform their civic duty to elect their governor for the next four years.

“You can see that despite the weather, the turnout and enthusiasm of the electorate is high. The ballot box in my polling unit is full and clearly, it shows people have been interested in this election as they have been adequately mobilised.

“People are very interested in this election because it’s a watershed for us in Edo State. I am not surprised because a lot of young people are here to come and express themselves and fulfill their civic obligation.

“For now, I am glad about what I see, and the election process in my unit has been smooth and efficient but just hope that the collation process will be the same, and also peaceful. And I hope that results counting will not disrupted.

“I am glad about the military presence in the state, and the federal security have taken over the state, so I don’t have any say. I believe that the IGP is the chief security officer of the state”.

On some arrests made by the Military, Governor Obaseki commended the military for the arrests saying the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa is living up to his words.

“The military have done a good job and have done well. The Chief of Defence Staff came to see me and gave assurances that his men were fully on ground, I am glad at what they are doing, but not too sure of what the police are doing at this time.

“As I speak, I hear that there are some people who claimed that they are policemen at Ogbe polling field trying to arrest people on election day at their polling units.

“We are glad at the deployment of our agents and our situation room is open and we are receiving reports all over and hope for the best”.