As the collation of results from the Edo State gubernatorial election continues, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is currently in the lead with a margin of 54,437 votes ahead of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with outstanding result from only one local government area (LGA) of Ikpoba-Okha on Sunday evening.
So far, results from 17 out of the 18 LGAs had been formally announced at the INEC Collation Centre in Benin City. APC has so far secured 275,329 votes and won majority votes in 11 LGAs, while the PDP has garnered 220,892 votes, winning in six LGAs so far. The difference puts APC in the lead, with 54,437 margin.
The remaining one LGA, which was yet to be collated and announced, will be crucial in determining the final outcome of the governorship election. INEC had earlier announced the collation of results from 16 LGAs and went on a recess. It later resumed the process at some minutes after 5pm later on Sunday to announce results from Oredo LGA.
With results from one LGA being awaited, the final results and the winner of the election will be formally declared by the Returning Officer any moment from now.
The election, which took place on Saturday, September 21, has been characterised by mixed reactions and a slew of allegations.
Both PDP and Labour Party (LP) candidates have raised concerns about the transparency of the process, with accusations of electoral malpractices. The PDP has particularly accused the APC of orchestrating vote manipulation, claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manufactured votes for the APC in some key areas with the help security agents.
Ahmadu Fintiri, the Governor of Adamawa and chairman of the PDP campaign council for Edo, alleged that PDP agents were denied access to INEC offices during collation, while APC agents were allowed unrestricted entry. He also highlighted incidents of violence at collation centers, particularly in Etsako West, where a shooting was reported.
Similarly, PDP officials have voiced concerns about the halting of collation in certain areas, notably in Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Egor LGAs, where collations were allegedly moved to INEC’s state headquarters in Benin city without proper justification. The PDP claimed the actions were in breach of the Electoral Act, and INEC Rules and Regulations.
During the announcement of the results at the State Collation Centre, the PDP agent also insisted that INEC manufactured votes in favour of APC in local government areas of Edo North.
Labour Party also accused APC of buying votes at N10,000 per ballot on Saturday at polling units.
As the outstanding results of Ikpoba-Okha LGA await collation, all eyes remain on INEC’s next move, with the outcome poised to shape the political future of Edo State.
