The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has successfully uploaded over 98% of the polling unit result sheets from the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
As of 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, results from 4,435 out of the 4,519 polling units have been made available on the commission’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV).
The election saw Edo State residents casting their votes to elect a new governor to succeed the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki, whose two-term tenure concludes on November 12, 2024.
Edo is among eight states holding off-cycle governorship elections, alongside Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun, and Ondo.
With a total of 2,629,025 registered voters in the state, INEC reported that 2,249,780 (approximately 85.57%) have Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs) and are eligible to participate in selecting Obaseki’s successor.
While 17 candidates contested for the governorship position, the race has been characterized as a three-horse competition among 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, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, is backed by 2023 LP presidential candidate Peter Obi, whose ‘Obidient’ movement garnered significant voter support in the last election.
On the other hand, Ighodalo, who previously chaired the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, received the endorsement of the incumbent governor, Obaseki, despite tensions with his deputy, Philip Shaibu.
Shaibu and former governor, Adams Oshiomhole have rallied behind Okpebholo, highlighting the intricate dynamics within the state’s political landscape.
The APC currently holds senatorial positions in Edo North and Edo Central, while the Labour Party’s senator, Neda Imasuen, represents Edo South, where Akpata is from.
As the state awaits the final collation of results, the political atmosphere remains charged, with all eyes on INEC’s updates as it aims to ensure a transparent and credible election process.