‘My vote won’t count’ — residents express mixed reactions ahead of Edo guber poll

Less than 48 hours before the conduct of the governorship election in Edo state, residents have expressed fears and hopes ahead of the poll.

Data released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows that 2,249,780 registered voters have collected their permanent voter cards (PVC) and are expected to attend the poll on Saturday to elect a new governor for Edo state.

Despite assurances by INEC of a fair and credible poll, Hope, a trader in Benin, the state capital, said she would not go out to the poll because she does not believe that her vote will count.

“I don’t want to vote, and I will not vote because no matter what, it will not count. They will still make whoever they want governor,” she said.

“I voted in the time of Oshiomhole because he did the right thing and really tried for us. But now I’m not going to.

“The suffering is too much, and I don’t know any of the candidates who can do the right thing. So, this time I won’t vote.”

On the other hand, James Ogunshola, an entrepreneur, expressed optimism that the election process would be free and fair.

“I hope and expect that this election will be free and fair. I really want to believe that Edo people are not violent. So, the election will be peaceful,” Ogunshola said.

“I pray INEC will conduct the election fairly so that the right person will come into power. I have my voter’s card, and I will vote for the right person, not a party.”

Also, John, one of the many youths who gathered to watch the distribution of election materials at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the capital city, encouraged residents to come out and vote.

John expressed optimism that the conduct of the election would be peaceful.

“I believe, by the grace of God, PDP will win. The hardship in this country is too much, and we cannot see the suffering and go and vote for the same people,” he said.

“I believe Asue Ighodalo Will continue from where Obaseki stopped since they are the same party. If another person gets into power, he will not continue from where Obaseki stopped, and we don’t want that.

“We are here watching the distribution of election materials, and everything is currently peaceful. I’m sure it will be that way on election day. So everyone needs to come out and vote.”

On Wednesday, Christopher Musa, chief of defence staff (CDS), said operatives of the local security networks and vigilantes should steer clear of election duties during the Edo governorship poll.

The CDS also warned that anyone who disrupts the poll would bear the consequences, adding that the military has the presidential mandate to ensure a free, fair, and credible election in Edo.