The 2023 gubernatorial elections have kicked off across 28 states in Nigeria today. States like Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun States won’t have elections today, as they operate a different cycle.
Also holding today are the Esan Central/Esan West/Igueben Federal Constituency election halted during the February 25 Presidential and National Assembly polls. This resulted from the omission of the Labour Party logo and that of the Enugu East Senatorial District, which was shifted following the killing of Oyibo Chukwu, the party’s candidate in the district, on February 22.
Here are the updates so far:
Violence in Lagos State
Voters in several parts of Lagos State have complained of harassment and intimidation by political party agents and thugs.
A Twitter user (@omoelerinjare) claims that his uncle was attacked with his ear bleeding in the Desa Ibeju Lekki polling unit for refusing to vote for the APC.
A voter with his polling unit in Ibeju-Lekki High School, Lagos, also said, “APC thugs just finished beating me now in my polling unit, 007 Ibeju 1, at the premises of Ibeju High School, Ibeju-Lekki Lagos. They were chasing everyone they feel will vote for LP. I intervened and they descended on me and started beating me.”
“They were 13 thugs that were beating me. The thugs dragged me out of the premises and dragged other LP voters in my PU out. They smashed my phone. Agberos have taken over the polling units in Ibeju.”
Sanwo-Olu makes his way to the polls
At Ward E3, St Stephen’s School, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island, the incumbent governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu made his way to vote at around 10 a.m. He was seen to be ‘calming down his supporters.’
Violence in Benue State
At 11 a.m., Citizen learnt that security operatives killed a voter as thugs, allegedly sponsored by the PDP, attempted to disrupt voting in Gboko South at polling units 026 and 004 of Benue state.
Other states seem to be peaceful
Other states, such as Kwara and Delta, are seeing peaceful voting process so far.
Dongari Elite L.G.E.A ll, Gambari/ Aiyekale. LGA: Asa, Kwara State.
Obaigbena Primary school, Owa 1. LGA: Ika North East, Delta State.
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