Early results from polling units indicate that the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Senator Monday Okpebholo, are locked in a tight race in the Edo State governorship election.
The Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata, is poised to emerge as the second runner-up in the election, which has turned out to be largely peaceful after weeks of toxic campaigns and threats of violence by political actors.
As of the time of filing this report this morning (12:02), results from 4,402 polling units representing 97.41 percent had been uploaded onto the Result Viewing Portal (IReV) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). There are 4,519 polling units in the state.
Some results uploaded on the IREV portal showed that PDP and APC are going head-to-head at the polls
In Ologbo, Ikara Hall polling unit in Ikopba/Orha LGA, APC got 288 votes against PDP’s 29 votes and Labour Party’s 29.
In Near Market Square polling unit, Ivbimion local government, APC scored 87, PDP 76 and Labour Party, got nil.
In Imovie Town Square, Otuo, APC got 144, PDP 152 and Labour 3. In One, Old RCM, APC got 64, PDP 30 while Labour got 1 vote.
In Ovoegbe Pry School, Itsukwi, APC got 95, PDP received 54, while Labour Party got nil.
In Irhue, Osaro Pry School, APC got 87, PDP 86 and Labour 21. Jamagie, Ogondi Pry School, APC got 11, PDP received 46, Labour got 6.
Meanwhile, the APC and PDP have accused each other of plots to alter the results of the election just as they both claimed victory.
The APC national publicity secretary, Felix Morka, in a statement, said they are comfortably in an early lead, adding that as a responsible party, it will not attempt to preempt INEC’s conclusion of the electoral process and official declaration of final results.
“We urge members of the public to disregard this attempted misrepresentation and await INEC’s final verdict on the election,” the statement reads.
His PDP counterpart, Hon Debo Ologunagba claimed it has authentic results from polling units showing Ighodalo in clear lead.
However, the INEC resident electoral commissioner (REC) in Edo State, Anugbum Onuoha, explained in an interview with Channels Television yesterday that the results of the election are still at the ward level and will travel to the local government level before being sent to the state collation centre.
“I cannot categorically tell you when we will announce the results in the state. As they come, we will announce,” Onuoha stated. “For now, no results yet” from any of the local governments, he said.
The REC warned social media users against announcing “results” of the poll, emphasising the commission’s official stance.
Nevertheless, the election witnessed low voter turnout in Edo South, while there was a commendable to high turnout in Edo North and Edo Central, where the two major contenders, PDP’s Ighodalo and APC’s Okpebholo, hail from.
While voters defied early rains and delays in the arrival of electoral materials to participate in the election, observers—including Yiaga Africa, the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), and KDI—decried the logistical challenges faced by INEC and instances of vote buying at polling units.
Votes were reportedly bought in Oredo, Ikpoba Okha, Egor, and Ovia South West local government areas, with party agents offering cash ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000.
In the Ikpoba Okha local government area, at Ologbosere Primary Ward 7, Unit 37, the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) failed to function, leading to mild protests by voters. INEC officials informed LEADERSHIP that the faulty BVAS was sent to the INEC office located in Ikpoba Hill for replacement.
Following the late arrival of officials and materials for the exercise, INEC extended the voting time to enable more voters to participate