Asue Ighodalo, the gubernatorial candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has emerged victorious against Labour Party candidate Olumide Akpata at Akpata’s own polling unit. The results from Polling Unit 11, Ward 06, in Oredo Local Government Area revealed that Ighodalo secured 41 votes, while Akpata garnered 32 votes.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, finished third with just 19 votes.
After casting his vote earlier on Saturday, Ighodalo confidently proclaimed his intention to win the governorship election by a substantial margin. “We are set to win this election by a landslide and advance our state by God’s grace. I urge anyone still at home to come out and make their voices heard. We are not pleased with the antics coming from the APC. This election is crucial, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had ample time to prepare, thus any delays are unwarranted.”
He expressed concerns about rumors suggesting attempts to undermine the election process, mentioning instances where individuals were caught with ballot papers and Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). “The most alarming issue is the vote-buying happening, with prices ranging from ₦15,000 to ₦20,000. They are pulling out all the stops to disrupt the electoral process.”
Ighodalo noted the presence of the Nigerian military, affirming their role in ensuring public safety during the elections. He expressed confidence in the support he has garnered throughout the state over the past ten months, stating, “The people trust us, and we have their support across Edo. The figures I’m hearing from Edo North, Edo Central, and Edo South are truly astonishing. In Nigeria, unexpected things can occur, but I don’t foresee any miraculous interventions.”
“I believe INEC will conduct a fair election unless proven otherwise. We are poised for victory in this election,” he declared. He acknowledged some ongoing irregularities but maintained a positive outlook, mentioning that one of their supporters had been detained in Uromi by members of a security outfit.
