The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has taken a significant lead in the Edo State governorship election, with over 48,000 votes ahead of his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central in the Senate, has secured victories in 10 out of the 16 local government areas declared so far, amassing 244,549 votes.
Ighodalo trails with 195,954 votes and has won six local government areas, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata is in third place with 13,346 votes.
The election results were announced at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Collation Centre in Benin City on Sunday.
After declaring the results from the 16 local government areas, the collation process was paused, with the Returning Officer, Professor Faruk Adamu Kuta, announcing a recess to await results from two remaining local government areas.
The process is expected to resume at 5 pm, when the final results and winner of the governorship election will be announced.
Amid the announcements, the PDP has raised concerns about the credibility of the election. PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo expressed fears that the election may be regarded as the “worst in the country’s history,” citing irregularities in the voting process.
The party has staged protests in Benin City, claiming that the results being collated do not reflect the true wishes of the people.
In response, the APC has called for calm and urged the public to await the final announcement from INEC. The party also accused Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, of attempting to interfere with the collation process after he visited the INEC headquarters.
Governor Obaseki was later escorted out of the collation centre by police.
With the final results expected soon, tensions remain high as political parties await the official outcome of the Edo governorship election.
