FROM IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Edo State chapter, witnessed a bloody election Friday, following reported gunshots and violence.
The election which held simultaneously across the 18 local government areas on Wednesday was disrupted in some councils by armed thugs.
AljazirahNigeria gathered that delegates who declined to cast their votes for certain candidates in Uhunmwode and Igueben Local Government Areas, were beaten and chased away from the election venues with accompanying gunshots.
A delegate in one of the councils where violence was recorded, attributed the disruption to alleged forceful imposition.
The delegate, who only gave her name as Esohe, said: “A particular council chairman wrote the names of candidates he wanted to emerge as executives of NULGE in the council.
”However, sensing that other candidates were in a clear lead, his thugs began to shoot sporadically, chased everybody away and destroyed the ballot box.”
Meanwhile, the Edo State Local Government Commission has ordered the suspension of the election over reported violence.
The commission in a letter addressed to the president of NULGE, noted with concern, the increasing number of petitions, disputes and growing unrest among staff of the Unified Local Government Service.
The letter which was endorsed by the Secretary of the Commission, Odigie George, reads in part: “More worrisome is the reported security breach that occurred at Uhunmwode Local Government Council on September 3.
The development allegedly resulted in shootings and injuries as captured in viral video clips presently in circulation.
”In the light of the foregoing and in order to safeguard the peace, security and industrial relations of staff, the commission hereby announces the immediate postponement of all ongoing NULGE branch elections pending further consultations with relevant stakeholders.”
