- PDP agents reportedly missing in several polling units during Edo by-election.
- Only APC and ADC representatives were seen monitoring at key locations.
- PDP Chairman insists the absence of agents does not undermine electoral strength.
There was noticeable absence of polling agents representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in numerous polling units during the recent by-election held on Saturday in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
On eyewitness accounts from several locations, including Oluku Primary School, Owina Primary School, and Eronseyi Primary School, Eko Hot Blog report gathered that only party agents from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were seen actively observing proceedings at the polling centres.
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Despite these observations, the Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in the state, Mr. Tony Azeigbemi, refuted claims that the party failed to deploy agents to monitor the exercise. He maintained that the party had its representatives on ground for the poll.
Azeigbemi further downplayed the relevance of the reported absences, asserting that the presence of agents does not necessarily determine a party’s electoral success. Drawing a parallel, he cited the example of the 2023 presidential election, where Labour Party candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, secured victories in multiple polling units without having agents stationed at those points.
In his words, “We had our agents deployed for the election. Let’s not forget that Peter Obi, despite not having agents in many polling units during the last general election, still managed to win in those areas.”
