EDO STATE INEC HEADQUARTERS CHAOS: APC THUGS DISRUPT INSPECTION OF BVAS MACHINES
Benin, Edo State – October 9, 2024
Tensions flared at the Edo State INEC Headquarters today when thugs linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed the commission’s office, disrupting the inspection of electoral materials from the controversial September 21st Edo governorship election.
The APC thugs, led by Jarrett Tenebe, clashed with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) forensic examiners, preventing them from inspecting the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines as ordered by the court.
The incident has raised concerns about the integrity of the electoral process and the ability of the PDP to pursue their petition.
According to eyewitnesses, the APC thugs arrived at the INEC office in the morning, causing chaos and intimidating PDP supporters. The situation escalated when INEC’s Head of Legal, Mrs. Rita Amadi, announced that the inspection of the BVAS machines was to begin.
Jarrett Tenebe, the APC leader, objected, insisting that the inspection should start with the voter register and ballot papers before the BVAS machines could be scrutinized. His demands led to a physical confrontation, with APC members surrounding Mrs. Amadi and pushing PDP delegates.
In the commotion, a PDP forensic examiner’s phone was smashed, and police officers present failed to intervene.
The APC Chairman then requested an adjournment of the inspection exercise until the next day, claiming he did not have a copy of the voters register. Mrs. Amadi agreed, despite the PDP legal representative reminding her that the court order mandated the examination of the voters register used by INEC in the elections.
The PDP has expressed frustration with the unfolding events, accusing the APC of attempting to sabotage their case.
With only 48 hours left before the deadline to submit their petition, the PDP faces increasing uncertainty about whether the inspection of the BVAS machines will be completed in time.
This incident has cast doubt over whether justice will be served in what many are calling a critical moment for the future of Edo State’s democracy.
