The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, on Monday, visited the families of two persons who were reportedly killed while exercising their franchise at their polling units during Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections in the state.
The victims were identified as Festus Idahosa, 33, and Mrs Elizabeth Owie, a 43-year-old mother of three children, aged eight, six, and four.
While Idahosa’s family resides in Upper Sakponba, the family of Owie lives in Ogheghe, Sapele Road, Benin City.
Obaseki was accompanied on the condolence visit by his Chief of Staff, Osaigbovo Iyoha, and other top government functionaries.
The governor, while expressing sadness over the incidents, assured the families of the deceased that the police had already commenced investigation to bring the perpetrators of the evil acts to justice.
Obaseki said, “It’s very sad as the young man came to perform his civic responsibility and duties and his life was cut short because of people’s perception of what power should be.
“It’s sad that this sort of electoral violence still happens at this stage of our development. As a government, we would put all measures in place to find out the perpetrators and find out what truly happened and make sure appropriate steps are taken for us to get to justice.
“People witnessed what happened at these polling units and these people that witnessed what happened will assist with the investigation as the investigators will also reach out to INEC officials and agents who will throw more light on what actually happened.”
In his response, the elder brother of the victim, Mr Lawrence Aigbe, said his late brother just finished his one-year mandatory youth service and came in from Port Harcourt where he resided to cast his vote, only to be killed by political thugs, who shot him.
