The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, Senator Monday Okpebholo, are locked in a close contest as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues to upload results from the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday.
As of the time of this report, INEC had uploaded 97% of election results on its Results Viewing portal, with preliminary figures indicating strong regional competition between the two candidates.
Despite delays caused by early morning rain, the election saw a large voter turnout across the state’s 18 local government areas (LGAs). Okpebholo is leading in the APC-dominated Edo North Senatorial District, while Ighodalo is ahead in Edo South, a PDP stronghold.
Tight Contest in Key LGAs
Both candidates won their respective polling units, with Ighodalo polling 200 votes at his unit in Esan South-East LGA, while Okpebholo garnered 102 votes at his polling unit in Esan Central LGA. Other notable results include APC leader Adams Oshiomhole’s strong showing in Etsako West LGA, where the APC polled 403 votes.
Across multiple LGAs, the race remains fiercely contested. Ighodalo leads in parts of Ikpoba/Okha, Oredo, and Igueben LGAs, while Okpebholo is ahead in Uhunmwode, Esan Central, and Owan West LGAs. As of Saturday evening, both candidates were nearly neck and neck in key battleground areas.
Allegations of Vote-Buying
Although the election was generally peaceful, reports emerged of widespread vote-buying by major political parties. The PDP accused the APC of offering between N15,000 and N20,000 per vote, a claim that APC leaders, including Adams Oshiomhole, denied.
In Edo Central and Edo North, party agents were seen allegedly distributing cash and food items to sway voters, despite the presence of EFCC officials who arrested some suspects involved in vote-buying.
The final collation of results is yet to begin at the INEC state collation centre in Benin, and both parties remain confident of victory.
