Remilekun Awokoya
The governorship race in Edo State between Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has become an intense contest, with both candidates locked in a tight battle for victory.
On Saturday, residents of Edo State headed to the polls to elect a successor to Governor Godwin Obaseki.
By Saturday night, results monitored by Nigerianewsabroad correspondent on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) IReV portal revealed that the two leading candidates were neck-and-neck as results from polling units and wards started to roll in.
As of 11:16 p.m. on Saturday, 96.95% of the election results had already been uploaded to the IReV portal.
According to the results available, PDP’s Ighodalo secured a victory in his home council, Esan South East Local Government Area, while APC’s Okpebholo won in his own council, Esan Central LGA. Both victories were achieved by slim margins.
Ighodalo also claimed wins in Esan North East and Igueben LGAs, again by narrow margins, while Okpebholo emerged victorious in Esan West LGA in another closely fought race.
In Edo North, Okpebholo gained a stronghold, sweeping Etsako West, Etsako East, and Etsako Central LGAs, though Ighodalo put up a formidable challenge. Okpebholo also secured Owan West and Owan East LGAs, albeit with a slim margin.
The results in Ovia South West and Ovia North East remain too close to call, with both candidates in a close race. Uhunmwode LGA is similarly tightly contested, with no clear winner yet.
The once touted three-horse race is now a two-horse race with the candidate of the Labour Party, Olumide Akpata in extremely poor showing, winning no local government or even a ward.
For more detailed results, voters can check INEC’s IReV portal.