Edo 2020: Gov Obaseki Slams Faulty Card Readers, INEC For Negligence

• Condemns votes’ buying

BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – The Governor of Edo State and flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Godwin Obaseki is unhappy that the card readers malfunctioned in many polling centres across several wards in the state.

“I expected better preparation on the part of those saddled with the responsibility to conduct this election.

“To wait for one and a half hours in the queue before exercising my franchise is a bit disappointing”, Governor Obaseki said.

Speaking shortly after casting his vote in Ward 4, Oredo Local Government Area, the governir expressed disappointment at having to spend long hours on the queue due to a faulty card reader.

According to him, the development is a clear indication of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)’s lack of preparedness for the exercise despite having so much time on its hands.

Governor Obaseki told reporters covering the election that; “Given that this is a sole day’s election, I expected better planning and preparation and resources should have been put into this election.

“At the last presidential election, in my polling unit, there were two polling points which eased the burden on voters. You all are witnesses to how long it has taken.

“The card reader here is working slowly, and this is the situation in all the major voting centres in Oredo Local Government Area of the state as I speak.”

He further claimed that; “At Garrick Memorial School, I understand that over 500 voters are already stranded because they can’t vote due to the slow processing of the card reader.”

On allegations of vote-buying at some polling units across the state, Governor Obaseki accused the security agencies of reneging of their promise and assurances to Edo people and Nigerians before the election.

“The security agencies assured us that they won’t allow anybody who doesn’t have a business of voting, into a particular place, but they are working contrary to what they promised us”, he said.

To further drive home his clsims, an angry Obaseki said; “You can see cars parked with a lot of cash being disbursed to people buying votes, and it seems to be normal practice, but we are not perturbed as people know what to do. Cash can’t buy their future.”