The Edo Governorship Election, held on Saturday, September 21, 2024, has turned into a two-horse race between the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) Asue Ighodalo and the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) Senator Monday Okpebholo, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) successfully uploaded 90% of the election results into its Result Viewing Portal (IREV). As of press time, results from 4,266 out of the 4,519 polling units had been uploaded, with the collation of results at wards and local government areas ongoing throughout the night.
Disruptions were reported in key battleground areas, particularly in Oredo and Ikpoba-Okha local government areas, part of Edo South Senatorial District, where both candidates are fiercely competing. The Chief Returning Officer is expected to declare the winner later today at INEC’s headquarters in Benin City.
Early tallies indicate a narrowing field, with the Labour Party’s (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, trailing far behind and largely out of contention. Meanwhile, the PDP and APC candidates are in a tight contest, with Ighodalo leading in Edo South and Okpebholo ahead in Edo North. Both candidates are evenly matched in Edo Central, their home region.
In a last-minute twist, both camps engaged in political manoeuvres aimed at disqualifying opponents and countering false narratives. Okpebholo faced a court challenge over alleged age falsification, which was dismissed, while Akpata had to debunk a forged statement that claimed he had withdrawn from the race. Despite these challenges, all three major candidates expressed satisfaction with the voting process.
As vote collation progresses, both the PDP and APC have staked claims of victory but have refrained from preempting INEC’s official declaration.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
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