BENIN CITY, Nigeria — Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has described the voter turnout in Saturday’s local government election as impressive, even as residents across Benin City and Auchi defied a statewide movement restriction order imposed by the police for the exercise.
Okpebholo, who cast his vote at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area at approximately 10:40 a.m., commended voters for their orderly conduct and expressed satisfaction with reports of a peaceful process. “This election is very peaceful and it is going smoothly based on the feedback we are getting from the field,” the governor said shortly after voting. “The turnout is very high. This is a demonstration of grassroots democracy. It shows that our people are interested in choosing those who will administer the affairs of their local governments.”
Despite the police directive restricting movement across the state from midnight to 6:00 p.m. on election day, commercial buses, tricycles, private vehicles, and traders were observed operating in major areas of Benin City, including Ring Road, Airport Road, and the New Benin axis. In Auchi, residents and commercial vehicle operators similarly disregarded the restriction.
A commercial driver at Ring Road, who identified himself only as Edos, told journalists: “We no hear say dem restrict movement today. We dey hustle because we get family to feed.” Another resident in New Benin suggested that the low turnout at polling units might be responsible for the continued movement, as many voters stayed at home.
While Governor Okpebholo hailed the turnout as high, reports from across the state painted a more complex picture. The News Agency of Nigeria observed that voter turnout was generally low at many polling units visited across the Benin metropolis. At Agbado Primary School in Oredo Ward 4, electoral materials arrived on time but only a few voters turned out. In Egor Local Government Area, materials arrived late at most polling units, leaving early voters waiting as of 9 a.m.
The election was significantly affected by a boycott from major opposition parties. The Peoples Democratic Party, Labour Party, African Democratic Congress, and Nigeria Democratic Congress all distanced themselves from the process. The PDP cited the dissolution of democratically elected local government chairmen and the replacement of EDSIEC management as reasons for its boycott, stating: “A process founded on constitutional violations cannot produce a legitimate democratic outcome. We will not legitimise illegality.”
Despite the boycott, the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission cleared 12 political parties for the election, including the All Progressives Congress, Accord Party, People’s Redemption Party, and All Progressives Grand Alliance, among others. The election, conducted across 18 local government areas and 4,519 polling units, was held to elect chairmen and councillors.
Despite the low turnout and movement restrictions, accredited election observers described the exercise as peaceful and orderly. The Executive Director of the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens, Comrade Fidelis Nwoke, told journalists: “Reports coming in from different parts of the state indicate that the process has been peaceful so far. We have observed that the exercise has been peaceful, orderly and smooth.”
At Udomi Primary School, where the governor voted, residents expressed satisfaction with the election, describing the process as orderly and transparent. One voter, Christopher Ejodamen, said he was able to vote without intimidation or harassment, adding that the peaceful atmosphere encouraged greater voter participation.
The Edo State Police Command had earlier announced the restriction as part of comprehensive security measures to protect voters, electoral officials, and sensitive materials. Commissioner of Police Monday Agbonika reassured residents that adequate security arrangements had been made, while warning that violators would be dealt with according to law. Voting was conducted manually using an open ballot system, with results expected to be declared on Monday.
