Coalition of Election Observer Groups, Condemns Attack On Member In Edo Bye-Elections

A coalition of election observer groups has condemned the unprovoked and dehumanising attack on a member, Mr Destiny Oghaywrio Enabulele, at the just concluded Edo State bye – elections, held on the 16th of August 2025.

The Secretary of the group, Mr Benedict Okpara who made the call in Abuja, at a news briefing said the unfortunate incident happened in Iguobazuwa, Ozolua Model Primary School Ward 1, Edo State, where a reputable member of the Election Observers Group was harassed and tortured in the course of the exercise.

He said “Comrade Destiny Oghaywrio Enabulele, a former Director of Publicity Secretary, President of the Conference of NGO’s Edo state chapter, was attacked by some elements, alleged to be the ruling party and their agents. Because the security agents on duty looked away when the man was brutalized without any intervention.”

“Before the bye- elections there was a circulated press statement of premeditated plans by the ruling party APC, and its cohorts to manipulate, create mayhem before and during the elections to disrupt the process as to prevent the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, from making any progress in the bye- elections.”

“As a law abiding citizen, Comrade Destiny Enabulele was at his polling unit as early as 9.00 a.m to exercise his franchise in the Ovia Federal Constituency bye- election when some fearless looking thugs led by unidentified security operatives attacked him and two of his aids who are presently nursing their injuries sustained in the process.”

“We consider the attack meted on our member in the process of exercising his franchise being part of his civic responsibility as a gross violation of his fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, hence it cast very serious doubts on the credibility of the polls.”

“The unfortunate incident has also generated a lot of controversies and left a lingering confidence in the electoral system and further erodes the integrity of both the electoral umpire, INEC and security agencies that are expected to maintain law and order for a free, fair and credible polls.”

Mr Okpara however, called on the police and other concerned security agencies to immediately carry out a thorough investigation towards ensuring that perpetrators of the violence that took place in Iguobazuwa and other places are brought to face the full wrath of the law.

“Incidentally it happened in the full glare of the public and other eye witnesses who can relate this serious act of violence meted on Comrade Destiny Enabulele and others to disrupt the electoral process being a total breach of the provisions of the electoral act also an assault on voter’s rights to a free and transparent process”.

Mr Okpara, however, appealed to President Bola Tinubu being a custodian and promoter of constitutional democracy and freedom of association to immediately wade into the matter before the alleged political party plunges Edo state in a serious political crisis.

“As members of the Coalition of Election Observer Groups, saddled with the responsibility of ensuring a free, fair and credible electoral process in the country, we also want the Canadian Embassy to beam its search light on our alleged prime suspect, Mr Desmond Enabulele also known as Bishop based in Ontario, Canada who only comes into the country during election periods and return back for cover afterwards”.

“We are ready to go any legitimate length to ensure the protection of our members at all times.’

Garry Ochigbo, Edited By Grace Namiji