TheCable

Osagie Ize-Iyamu, governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo state, says he will monitor the election process from Benin city, the state capital, due to poor network reception in his hometown.

Speaking with reporters after casting his ballot at polling unit 026, ward 5 Iguododo, Orhionmwon local government area of the state, Ize-Iyamu said the exercise is going on smoothly.

He expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election, commending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“As you can see, I just went through the process of voting, my temperature was checked and the card reader worked successfully for me,” he said.

“We encourage our people to come out in batches so they can strictly adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.

“The voting across the state is going on smoothly and I’m impressed with INEC’s conduct. After speaking with you, I’ll be heading back to Benin, the state capital to monitor the election as network reception in my town is poor.

“I’m confident I’ll be victorious at the end of the exercise if the election process goes on smoothly as it’s been seen here in my town.”

Earlier, Godwin Obaseki, governor of the state and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), expressed reservations with the exercise.

Obaseki, who spent over an hour in queue before casting his ballot, said he expected INEC to have made adequate preparations.