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The race for the 2024 Edo State governorship election is obviously between the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bar. Asue Ighodalo and his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Senator Money Okpebholo as the results coming from the field show that the PDP and APC are leading, leaving the Labour party behind.
In Unit 3, Ward 1, Idinrio Primary School, Okaegben, Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area where Ighodalo voted, the PDP scored 200 votes while the APC and and the Labour party (LP) scored 1 apiece.
At the Unit 3, Ward 1 Uwesan ,Esan Central LGA, the candidate of the APC pulled 102 votes to beat the PDP and the Labour party (LP) which pulled 1 votes each.
On the other hand, the candidate of the LP, Olumide Akpata lost his polling unit, pulled 32 votes against PDP that got 41, while APC garnered 19.
The Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki also won his Unit 19,Ward 4 Oredo voting center.
At the polling units PDP garnered 127 votes against APC 35 votes, while the Labour Party got 11 votes.
Also, the APC scored 403 votes to beat PDP and Labour Party which polled one vote each at the Ward 1, Unit 6, Auchi , Etsako West Local Government Area voting center of the former governor of Edo State and Senator, representing Edo North , Adams Oshiomohle.
Speaking,the PDP candidate ,Asue Ighodalo, expressed displeasure on the late arrival of materials at the polling unit. He also frowned at alleged voting buying by the opposition All Progressive Congress.
He said, “I am not happy with the process that delayed the coming of the materials. This is a single state election. INEC has all the time to prepare.
“We are not comfortable with the little shenanigans that is going on particularly from the APC guys.
“There are rumours that they are trying to undermine the election process. Many of them have been caught with ballot papers, PVC’s.
“The worst is that they go round trying to buy votes. They buy votes for #15-20 Thousand. They are trying everything to subvert the process.
“We will win this election by landslide and move our state forward by God’s grace. If there is anybody at home, please come out and cast your vote.
Ighodalo, also eulogized the Nigerian Army for professional conduct during the election.
He added, “The Nigerian military has made me proud. They have taken charge and have shown great responsibility. They have shown that they can protect the people and I am extremely proud.
“We are not worried. We have spent ten months talking to people, telling them what we will do for them if they elect us.
“The people believed us and have accepted us all over the state. I don’t know the magic anybody will perform.
“The kind of numbers I am hearing from EDO North, Edo Central, Edo South, overwhelms me. You know in Nigeria, funny things happen. I don’t know the magic anybody wants to perform.
“I believe INEC will deliver a free and fair election until they prove otherwise. We will win hands down in this election.
“We are not happy about a few ongoing in some places but we will remain confident. One of our supporters was arrested at Uromi by some people with security outfit.
“No one should carry a gun into a polling unit. It’s against the law. It’s against the regulation.
“You see people behave indiscriminately, oppressing and trying to intimidate our folks. It won’t happen. We can’t be intimidated.
“How come it’s only PDP supporters that have been arrested? Every day you see APC supporters doing imaginable things. But nobody arrests them. Nobody investigates them.
“The person arrested was at his polling unit trying to be accredited. He was queuing up trying to be accredited. Authorities should create a free and fair playing field. This is getting too much particularly from the Police Force”.
On his part,the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki commended the enthusiasm of electorates and Edo voters for coming out en masse to cast their votes despite the heavy rain.
Obaseki who arrived his polling unit at ward 4 unit 19 at Emokpae Primary School Oredo local government area at 11:50 am, did his accreditation and voted at about 11:57 am
The governor who commended the electorate and young Edo voters for their determination and interest in the election said.
“You can see that despite the weather, the turnout and enthusiasm of the electorate is high. The ballots box in my polling units is full and clearly it shows people have been interested in this election as they have been adequately mobilized.
“People are very interested in this election because it’s a watershed for us in Edo State. Am not surprised because a lot of young people are here to come and expressed themselves and fulfilled their Civic obligation.
“For now am glad with what I see and the election process in my unit have been smooth and efficient but just hoped that the collation process will be the same and also peaceful and hope that results counter will not be disrupted.
“Am glad with the military presence in the State and the federal security have taken over the State so I don’t have any say, i believed that the IGP is the Chief security officer of the State”.
On some arrest made by the Military, governor Obaseki commended the military for the arrest saying the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Gwabin Musa is living up to his words.
“The military have done a good job and have done well. The Chief of Defence Staff came to see me and assured that his men were fully on ground and am glad what they are doing but not too sure of what the police are doing at this time.
“As I speak I hear that their are some people claimed that they are policemen at Ogbe polling field trying to arrest people on election day at their polling units.
“We are glad at the deployment of our agents and our situation room is open and we are receiving reports all over and hope for the best”.
Also,the former governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole debunking the alleged vote buying by the PDP said.
“It is laughable when I heard this kind of allegation. You, have you seen anywhere where they are sharing money? People turned out in large number to vote for us because they want good governance.
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