Three die in EKiti by-election, INEC suspends exercise

Three people have been confirmed dead in Saturday’s House of Assembly by-election in Ekiti State and two electoral officers sustain gunshot injuries in attacks by hoodlums on some polling booths.

This has prompted the Independent National Electoral Commission to suspend the election

Resident Electoral Commissioner of INEC in Ekiti State, Dr Tella Adeniran, announced the suspesion in a statement issued in Ado Ekiti on Saturday.

The statement read in part, “The Ekiti East State Constituency I by-election which started at 8.30am today witnessed 100 per cent opening of polls at 8.30am.

“The exercise commenced on a good note in a peaceful and orderly manner.

“However, at about 10.00am, there were reported cases of violence: in two polling units of Ward 09 (Obadore IV); Polling Unit 8 (Baba Egbe/Odouro /Odoule) and Polling Unit 9 (Beside Baba Egbe/Odouru/Odoule I), Polling Unit 07 (Aro street/Aro) of Ward 07 (Obadore lI).

“In PU 07, Ward 07, three voters were shot dead while a youth corps member, a police woman and an INEC staff sustained gunshot wounds.

“Under this circumstance, the safety of electoral officials, security personnel and election materials as well as the credibility of the process cannot be guaranteed. “The State Commissioner of Police is fully aware of the situation.”

Adeniran said it was unfortunate despite the effort of the commission in giving Nigerians free, fair, credible and inclusive election, some people determined to frustrate the electoral process.

He said INEC took the decision when it found the environment was no longer conducive for further electoral activity at the polling units and the collation centres.

Meanwhile, a former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has described the killing in Omuo Ekiti by suspected political thugs as “clear evidence of terrorism against citizens, who have rejected the party in government.” The former governor said killing innocent people just because of a five wards House of Assembly by-election was barbaric and shameful.

He said, “What was witnessed today in Omuo Ekiti is nothing but terrorism against the people of Ekiti, knowing that time has caught up with them and they are no longer popular.

“This will remain guilt in the conscience of the perpetrators and their sponsors perpetually for killing their own people just because of a mere House of Assembly by-election.

“Most importantly, everything that goes round in life comes round. The perpetrators of this despicable act should therefore remember that there will be consequences for all actions because the blood of the dead will surely speak and fight back.”