The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has uploaded over 88% of polling unit result sheets of Saturday’s Edo State Governorship Election on the commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
Out of the 4519 polling units, the electoral umpire has uploaded the result sheets of 3995 polling units on the portal as of 06:40 pm on Saturday.
On Saturday, September 21, 2024, the people of Edo State in South-South Nigeria voted to elect a new governor to succeed the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki, whose constitutional eight-year double terms will end on November 12, 2024.
Edo is one of the eight states where governorship elections are held off-season due to litigations and court judgements. Others are Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Ondo.
According to INEC, there are 2,629,025 total number of registered voters and 4,519 polling units in Edo State. Out of this figure, 2,249,780 (85.57%) have Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and will decide Obaseki’s successor.
Though 17 candidates are jostling for the office, analysts have described the forthcoming poll as a three-horse race involving Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
Akpata is a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and he is solidly supported by 2023 LP presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who in about a year galvanised over six million votes in 2023 riding on the crest of the ‘Obidient’ movement.
Ighodalo, former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), secured the endorsement of the incumbent governor, Obaseki, who shunned his deputy and party man, Philip Shaibu.
Shaibu and former governor Adams Oshiomhole have pledged their support for Okpebholo.
Meanwhile, Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo has commended the zeal of voters in the state who trooped out en masse to cast their votes in the governorship election in spite of the heavy rain.
Speaking to journalists after casting his votes at about 11:57 a.m. at Oredo Ward 4, unit 19, Emokpae Primary School, Obaseki also commended the presence of security agencies.
The ballot box in my polling unit is full and it clearly shows that people have been interested in this election as they have been adequately mobilised.
“People are very interested in this election because it’s a watershed for us in Edo.
“I am not surprised because a lot of young people are here to express themselves and fulfill their civic obligation.
“For now, I am glad with what I see and the election process in my unit has been smooth and efficient.
“I hope that the collation process will be the same and also peaceful; I hope that the results counting will not be disrupted.
“I am glad with the presence of the military in the state, and the federal security have taken over the state.
Channels TV
