Today, the people of Edo State will cast their votes to elect a new governor, who will succeed the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki.
In November 2020, Mr Obaseki and his then deputy, Philip Shaibu were sworn in and administered oath of office by the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Esther Edigin.
He defeated the APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu to be re-elected governor of the state. Mr Obaseki will leave office as Edo State governor in November.
Voters from all eighteen (18) local government areas will head to their respective polling units to choose from among the candidates vying for the governorship. The outcome will be determined across 192 wards and 4,519 polling units.
According to Vanguard newspaper, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) confirmed that 2.249 million voters collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), out of a total of 2,629,025 registered voters.
The regional breakdown shows Edo South with 1,526,699 voters, Edo North with 673,794, and Edo Central with 440,514.
Seventeen (17) candidates are competing for the governorship, but only one will assume office on November 12 and lead the state until 2028.
Among the frontrunners in today’s election are three prominent candidates: Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), both hailing from Edo Central; and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), representing Edo South.
As of press time, INEC officials have begun distributing election materials to various polling units, while security personnel was seen at key locations and voting centres across the state.
INEC has also issued a stern warning to political parties, their candidates, and supporters, prohibiting them from wearing campaign attire or carrying campaign materials to the polling stations.
The commission emphasized that all campaigns officially ended yesterday in accordance with the Electoral Act of 2023.
In a statement reported by The Nation newspaper, Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, reiterated that rallies, processions, and media campaigns are prohibited today and tomorrow.
“Similarly, parties, candidates, and their supporters should not appear at the polling units in their campaign attires or carry any campaign materials.
“We urge parties, candidates, and their supporters to take note of the provisions of the law for compliance,” Olumekun said.
The New Daily Prime will continue to provide you with timely updates as the Edo election process unfolds.
