Ihonvbere: House of assembly election in Owan west was a sham

Julius Ihonvbere, a member of the house of representatives, says the state assembly elections in Owan constituency in Edo state were a sham.

In a statement on Tuesday, Ihonvbere, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using armed thugs to intimidate voters in the constituency.

Blessing Agbebaku of the PDP was declared the winner of the house of assembly election for Owan west.

But Ihonvbere, who is the chairman of the house committee on basic education and services, said the “level of violence that was witnessed on the election day in his Owan West domain” was “too extreme”.

He said the situation “scared” the voters from freely exercising their franchise.

Ihonvbere, who won his second term bid during the presidential and national assembly elections, said those elected through a “flawed process” must realise that they have the moral burden to commit themselves to a better electoral process.

He said they must come to terms with the fact that they do not command the respect and confidence of the people they claim to represent.

While congratulating the APC members-elect, Ihonvbere called on the APC members in Owan west to remain calm.

He said the party’s leadership is taking a serious look at the events that played out to seek redress.

He described the victory of the APC candidates as “tortuous and deserved” and also praised the tenacity of the voters.