SAN FRANCISCO, June 22, (THEWILL) – The All Progressives Congress (APC) has commenced its governorship primary election in Edo State in compliance with COVID-19 protocols.
The exercise commenced as early as 8 am with accreditation of card carrying party members in batches of 15 and less from the 192 wards of the 18 local government areas of the state.
It was also observed that party members came wearing face masks and maintained arm length physical distance as they waited patiently to cast their votes.
THEWILL recalls that in a gazette signed by Governor Godwin Obaseki and published on June 5, the state government banned social gatherings involving more than 20 persons in the state.
According to the state government, the decision was a product of an epidemiological study that predicted that COVID-19 infections in the state would peak around the June 28, 2020.
But ALEDEH News reports that the party observed compliance with the state’s COVID-19 protocols.
Some of the wards observed were Ward 4, Akoko-Edo North; Ward 7 Estako west; and Ward 1 Esan South-East, amongst others.
Osagie Ize-Iyamu is expected to be returned elected as Pius Odubu and Osaro Obazee, the other two aspirants cleared to contest for the party’s governorship ticket for the September 19, 2020, election, have stepped down.
The Secretary to the Edo State Governorship Primary Election Committee, Senator Dr Ajibola Basiru, had in a statement on Sunday disclosed that the primaries will hold in strict compliance with Edo State’s extant law prohibiting gathering of more than twenty people.
“Not more than eighteen persons including Presiding Officers and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) observers shall be at ward voting centre at any point in time,” he said.
“There shall be simultaneous accreditation in batches as aforesaid until all eligible members have cast their vote without violation of the State’s COVID-19 regulations.
“Not more than eighteen persons shall be in attendance for the announcement of results at all ward centres and collation of results at all levels including the state collation.
“All members of the party and Members of the public are enjoined to be peaceful and comply fully with the State’s COVID-19 regulations.”
