The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the September 21, 2024, election in Edo State Asue Ighodalo, has raised concerns about delays in voting at polling units in his strongholds, particularly in the Edo Central Senatorial District.
Ighodalo made these remarks after casting his ballot at Idionrio Primary School, Ward 1 Unit 3 in Ewohimi, located in the Esan South East Local Government Area.
Voting commenced late for Ighodalo and others, with INEC officials arriving only around midday. Speaking to reporters at the voting venue, he stated, “They are here now and getting ready to start the process. Once they do, our people will vote as soon as possible.”
Ighodalo noted that there were delays in many strongholds due to insufficient presiding officers, but he remained hopeful about the situation improving. “At the moment, we are seeing delays. It’s early days, so let’s see what happens in the next few hours,” he added.
Despite hearing rumors of potential compromises in some polling units, Ighodalo expressed a desire to give INEC the benefit of the doubt, saying, “I want to keep an open mind and see how things unfold over the next few hours.”
In response to the delays, INEC has extended the voting period in areas where the process was slow to start. The election is particularly significant as Edo State seeks to elect a new governor to succeed the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki, whose tenure concludes on November 12, 2024.
Edo is one of eight states holding off-season governorship elections due to legal disputes, alongside Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun, and Ondo. With a total of 2,629,025 registered voters and 4,519 polling units, INEC reports that 2,249,780 (85.57%) voters possess Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs).
While 17 candidates are contesting for the governorship, analysts suggest a competitive race primarily among three candidates: Ighodalo of the PDP, Monday Okpebholo from the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
Akpata, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, is supported by Peter Obi, the 2023 LP presidential candidate. Ighodalo, who has the endorsement of Governor Obaseki, is facing challenges from Okpebholo, backed by former governor Adams Oshiomhole, and the incumbent’s deputy, Philip Shaibu.
The political landscape is characterized by strong party affiliations, with current senators representing the APC in Edo North and Central, while the Labour Party holds a seat in Edo South, where Akpata is from.
