Edo Decides: 2 LGAs To Go As APC Leads With 48,595 Margin

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 48,595 votes ahead of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), with results from two local government areas (LGAs) of the State still pending on Sunday afternoon.

So far, results from 16 out of the 18 LGAs had been formally announced at the INEC Collation Centre in Benin City. APC has so far secured 244,549 votes and won majority votes in 10 LGAs, while the PDP has garnered 195,954 votes, winning in six LGAs. The difference puts APC in the lead, with 48,595 margin.

The remaining two LGAs, which are yet to be collated and announced, will be crucial in determining the final outcome of the governorship election. INEC has announced that the collation process will resume at 5pm later on Sunday, after which the final results and the winner of the election will be formally declared by the Returning Officer.

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 two LGAs await collation, all eyes remain on INEC’s next move, with the outcome poised to shape the political future of Edo State.