By Simeon OSAJIE
The Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), elections in Edo State lchapters, has turned bloody following reported gunshots and violence.
The election which held simultaneously across the 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, Wednesday, was said to been disrupted in some councils by armed thugs.
It was gathered that delegates who declined casting their votes for certain candidates in Uhunmwode and Igueben LGAs, were beaten and chased away from the election venues with accompanying gunshots.
A delegate in one of the LGA were 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 clear lead in the election, his political 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 elections in the 18 councils over the 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 secretary of the Commission, Odigie George, read in parts:
“More worrisome is the reported security breach that occurred at Uhunmwode Local Government Council on the 3rd of September, 2025.
”The development allegedly resulted in shootings and injuries sustained by
staffer 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.”