Edo Decides: Live Updates, Results From Edo Governorship Election

‘It was seamless’ – Akpata says after casting vote

The Labour Party, LP, governorship candidate in Edo State, Olumide Akpata, has described his voting experience as “seamless”.

He, however, said that his wish is that every other voter in the state will have the same seamless experience as he did.

Akpata cast his vote at Oredo Ward 6, Unit 11, beaming with smiles and giving thumbs up to the cheering crowd.

“For my own process, it was seamless, the machine worked, I was captured and I picked up my ballot paper, I went into the booth, I thumbprint where you would imagine I would thumbprint and so that went well,” Akpata told reporters.

“I hope that would be the experience of every Edo voter. I am not going to conclude that that is the experience of every Edo voter until we start to get feedback.

“We are getting some concerning feedback from around the state, but I am not the kind of person who is going to make any statement until I verify the sources of my information. So, it is early in the day, and we will be observing the process as we go.”

Akpata also expressed confidence in the process, saying that he is optimistic if the playing ground remained level until the end.

“So, I’m hopeful and optimistic that this is a process that is going to be well run and that the playing field would be allowed to be totally level so that the best man or woman will win today,” he said.

Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, is going head to head with Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Asue Ighodalo,

All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate, Monday Okpebholo and other 14 others in the race to succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki.

Edo Decides: PDP, LP won’t get single vote in my LGA – APC candidate, Okpebholo

Senator Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the ongoing Edo State governorship election, has said his key rivals,

Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, LP, will not get a single vote at Unit 03, Ward 1, Uwessan, Esan Central LGA.

He disclosed this after casting his ballot in the exercise.

“PDP or whatever will not get one vote here because this is my home and my people love me,” he said.

Okpebholo also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, saying, “What I’m seeing here is like a testimony that INEC is getting it right.”

Meanwhile, Ighodalo raised the alarm of security threats and alleged that the Police arrested his party member at Ward 8, Unit 3.

On his part, the Labour Party candidate, Olumide Akpata after casting his vote commended INEC for the peaceful exercise so far.

He said voters should be allowed to vote across polling Units in the state.

DIG Frank MBA inspecting security situation at Ward 4 polling center Oredo

Response of the domestic observer who was manhandled by the alleged vote buyer at Ward 4 polling units OREDO LGA Benin City

Governor Godwin Obaseki arrived his polling units at OREDO LGA ward 4 unit 19 for accreditation and voting.

Edo 2024: Impressive turnout of voters across state

The Edo 2024 gubernatorial election has witnessed an impressive turnout of voters across the state.

Residents trooped out in their numbers to exercised their civic duties, DAILY POST reports.

By 7:15am when reporters visited polling units within ward 12, residents had trooped out early, signaling a strong desire to shape the future of Edo State.

Several civil society organizations monitoring the elections, including YIAGA Africa and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), commended the peaceful conduct and the large turnout of voters.

The election is seen as a critical moment for the state, with three major political parties, the All Progressives Congress, APC, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Labour Party, LP, amongst others, vying for the governorship seat in a race that will shape Edo’s political landscape for the next four years.

Edo decides: Ighodalo condemns late arrival of materials in Ewohimi

The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for Edo governorship election, Dr Asue Ighodalo, has condemned late arrival of officials of Independent Electoral Commission, INEC, and election materials to his polling unit.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, INEC Officials and materials arrived in Ighodalo’s Okaegben ward one, unit 3 in Ewohimi at exactly 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Ighodalo, who arrived at the voting centre at 10:30 a.m., also condemned the arrest of some PDP members in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of the state.

He also decried the late arrival of election materials in Owan West Local Government Area.

“As you can see, INEC Officials and materials just arrived and they are well over two hours late.

“Well, we are still well around the allocated time for voting; let us see what we can achieve between now and close of voting hours,’’ he said.

According to him, it will only be fair if the voting hours are extended by the numbers of hours lost.

LP guber candidate, Akpata votes

The Labour Party Candidate in the Edo State governorship election, Olumide Akpata has cast his vote.

Akpata arrived around 10:30 am at his polling unit 11, ward in Oredo Local Government Area of the State.

The LP candidate also expressed satisfaction with the voting process.

A 75 year old man Ebagua Ogiugo expressing confidence in the process as he cast his vote at Ward 4, unit 19 Emokpoa Primary School, Oredo LG

Ighodalo arrives at the polling unit

PDP’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, at his polling Unit 3, Ward One, Okaegben-Ewohimi in Esan Southeast LGA, Edo Central Senatorial District in company with his wife, Ifeyinwa, and younger brother, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo.

 10:38 a.m

EFCC storms Oshiomhole polling unit
 10: 28 am
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have stormed the Iyhamo primary school where former Governor Adams Oshiomhole is waiting on the queue to cast his vote.

The operatives were believed to be on the search for vote buyers.

Edo Decides: Observers satisified with early movement of materials
 10: 24 am
Some observers monitoring the ongoing governorship election in Edo State have expressed satisfaction with the early movement of election materials across the state.

Executive Director, Partners for Electoral Reforms and Board member, YIAGA Africa, Ezenwa Nwagu commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth and early distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive materials across polling units nationwide.

Speaking to reporters at ward 12, Agbado primary school, in Benin city, Nwangu said the process has so far been very commendable and a far cry from previous situations where materials left for polling units late resulting in late commencement of polls.

He also commended the security put in place to ensure the safety of both the materials, electoral staff and the voters.

He said: “We have monitored the transportation of the materials from the RACs to polling units, and we are pleased with the organized and timeliness of the operation so far”.

Chairman of Connected Development (CODE) Hamza Lawal said INEC has adhered to its promise of early deployment of electron materials, which is a critical factor in ensuring a free, fair, and credible election.

“The early movement of materials to polling units is particularly commendable, as it shows the Commission’s commitment to a credible process and we expect that this is replicated across the board,” Lawal said.

Why I left my sick bed to vote, by septuagenarian
10:24 am
A septuagenarian, Fatima Jimoh, has said that she left her sick bed to vote in the Edo governorship election because of her love for former Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

Jimoh, who was aided by her daughter, said she wanted to make Oshiomhole happy be ensuirng his party won the polls.

After voting at Unit three, Ward 10, Iyhamo Primary School, Jimoh said,

“I am not feeling well. I like Oshiomhole. I come out of illness to vote.”

Voting commences in Emokpae Model Primary School
09.50 am
This is Emokpae Model Primary School, Mission Road, Benin City, where Godwin Obaseki is expected to cast his ballot.

Voting has commenced in the 10 polling units within the premises. The governor is yet to show up to vote.

Voting commences at Ogute
 9:41 am
Voting has commenced at polling units in Ward six Ogute community in Estako East local government area.

There were large turn out of voters at the different polling units.

Those who spoke said they were happy at the early arrival of INEC officials.

Voting about to commence at the four polling units within Baptist High School, Ward 5 (units 21,22 and 23), Oredo Local Govt
 09.30 am

Accreditation ongoing in ward 5 unity 21, Baptist High School, Oredo, Benin
Ever busy TV road in Benin deserted
09: 23 am

Setting up at Ward 1 Unit 35 at Ogbe, Benin
Foreign Observer at Ward 1 Unit 35 Ogbe, Benin
09:14 am

One Mr Ugbebor Pedro Ken trying to locate his polling unit at Ogbe quarters, Benin
 09:11 am

Voting yet to begin in parts of Oredo Local Govt
09: 05 am
Today’s off-cycle electoral contest to determine who will occupy Dennis Osadebe House, the seat of power in Edo State when the tenure of Governor Godwin Obaseki lapses by November 12 this year is taking off on a bad note in Benin City, with the delay in deploying ad-hoc officials and materials to the various polling units.

For instance, as of 09.00am, ad-hoc officials have just arrived Unit 35, Ward 1, Oredo Local Government. They are now pasting the names of registered voters on the wall.

Benin City is the hub of Edo South Senatorial District. With its urban density, Edo South is a critical battleground in today’s election.

Voters storm polling units in Ukpellla
 08:40 am
Voters have stormed polling unit in Ukpella, headquarters of Estako East local government area.

At Unit 12 and Unit 4 Ward Eight, voters were seen on the queue waiting for INEC officials to commence accreditation and voting.

High Chief Kashim Otaru, who was waiting in Ward 13 said he arrived at the polling unit at about 8:20am.

“I came early but INEC said they were programme to start at 8:30am. I expect a good turn out at the poll. We used to record massive votes in this polling unit.

“We are here to vote for the party of our choice.”

INEC ad-hoc officials setting up at Ogbe Primary School, Ogbe, Oredo Local Government, Benin City
 08:15am

Voter waiting accreditation at Ogbe primary School, Stadium, Oredo L/G
 8:02am

INEC begins distribution of Electoral materials for 2024 Governorship election in Benin, Edo State

Police in show of force in preparation for 2024 Governorship Election

Edo election: Don’t wear campaign attire to polling units, INEC warns parties, supporters

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a warning to political parties, their candidates, and supporters for the upcoming governorship elections in Edo State. They are prohibited from wearing campaign attire or bringing campaign materials to polling units on Election Day.

The Commission reminded all parties and candidates that official campaigning ends at midnight on Thursday, September 19, in line with the Electoral Act 2023.

Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee stated that any rallies or processions after the campaign period concludes are illegal.

The statement reads: “The Commission wishes to remind political parties that in line with Section 94(1) of the Electoral Act 2022, and item 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the 2024 Edo State Governorship election, all campaigns by political parties end at midnight today, Thursday 19th September 2024.

“It is therefore illegal for any political party in Edo State to engage in rallies, processions, or media campaigns from midnight today. These prohibitions, including sanctions, are provided for in Section 96 of the Electoral Act 2022.

“Similarly, on Election Day, Saturday 21st September 2024, parties, candidates, and their supporters should not appear at the polling units in their campaign attires or carry any campaign materials with them.

“We urge parties, candidates, and their supporters to take note of the provisions of the law for compliance.”