The re-run election into Akoko-Edo Constituency 1 seat of the Edo State House of Assembly held yesterday was won by candidate of Action Congress (AC), Alhaji Kabiru Adjoto. He polled 5,345 votes to beat his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rival, Mr. Anslem Agbabi, who polled 3, 637 votes.

Although, characterised by shooting, ballot snatching and allegations of rigging in some of the wards in the five local government areas that the election took place, the exercise was adjudged to be fair in most of the 74 polling units.

Trouble started, according to The Tide investigation at Aiyegunle Unit 8 of ward 7, when supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) alleged that an aide of the Edo State Governor snatched ballot box meant for the unit.

This made irate supporters to descend on the alleged ballot box snatcher and he was about to be lynched when policemen brought in by House of Representatives Leader, Hon. Tunde Akogun, started shooting sporadically, thus forcing people to run helter skater.

Journalists covering the election were not left out as many of them were harassed by youth of Aiyegunle community who barricaded the entrance to the community amid shout of “go , go, we don’t need them here”

Similarly, PDP supporters at Lampese Unit 1, Ward 3 alleged rigging of the election and cited the arrest of nine thugs suspected to be agents of the Action Congress who they said stormed the centre with a Peugeot Wagon marked AP 768 ABJ as evidence of the alleged rigging. The exercise, was however peaceful and orderly in other units and wards monitored.

Against the backdrop of rigging allegations, the duo of Senator Yisa Braimah representing Edo North in the Senate and Anslem Agbabi , PDP candidate for the election have called for cancellation of the election, claiming that the exercise was a charade.

In a swift reaction however, Senator Roland Owie, AC leader in Edo State said that in spite of little skirmishes the election was free and fare.

According to him, the skirmish was as a result of voters who he alleged were thumps printing in Honourable Akogun’s house in Aiyegunle.

Another AC Chieftain, Mr. Emmanuel Momoh debunked the allegation of snatching of ballot box by Governor Oshiomhole’s aide.” Nothing like that happened. It was Akogun’s security and some cult boys that chased us away”, he said.

Our correspondent also reported that major roads into the city were barricaded by security men while vehicles coming from Auchi were prevented from entering the town.

For instance materials to Aiyegunle, the Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Mr Tunde Akogun’s zone were said to have been taken away and election disrupted in his polling unit.

One Ariyo Osakpawan told newsmen that there have been reported clashes between AC and PDP supporters, the two parties involved in the election.

When contacted at his residence, Akogun, however, refused to comment on the situation.

With Akogun in his residence were Braimah and other PDP chieftains.

Our correspondent also noticed that notable PDP members had converged in Akoko-Edo to give solidarity to their candidate.

The Chief of Staff to Gov. Adams Oshiomhole, Osarodion Ogie, however, told newsmen that election rigging was no longer attractive in the state.

He said the re-run election would be a liberation for the people of Akoko-Edo.

Ogie, who spoke at the material distribution centre at Igarra, said:“This will be the first time the people will be seeing ballot papers.”