Emmanuel OchayiThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared results for 16 out of 18 local governments in the ongoing Edo State gubernatorial election.
The results were announced by the state returning officer, Prof. Faruk Adamu of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, at the collation center in Benin City.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelSo far, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is leading with 244,549 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has garnered 195,954 votes across the 16 local government areas. The final results for the two remaining local governments—Ikpoba Okha and Oredo—are still awaited.
“The results for Ikpoba Okha and Oredo local governments have been delayed, but we will resume the collation at 5:00 PM today,” Prof. Adamu stated during the announcement.
The delay has sparked reactions from political parties, particularly the PDP, which has expressed concerns about the accuracy of the results released so far. The party’s spokesperson accused INEC of announcing manipulated results that do not reflect what happened at the polls. “The numbers we are seeing are inflated and do not represent the true outcome of the election,” a PDP representative said, calling for the commission to investigate the discrepancies.
However, the APC has refuted these claims, maintaining that the election was fair and transparent. “This election is the freest and fairest in Edo’s history. The people’s voice is clear, and we are confident of victory,” said APC’s state chairman, Jarret Tenebe.
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The local government areas already announced show mixed results between the two major parties. In Owan West LGA, the APC scored 12,277 votes while the PDP secured 11,284 votes. Similarly, in Uhunmwonde LGA, the PDP led with 9,339 votes against the APC’s 8,776.
On the other hand, the APC has made significant gains in other areas. In Akoko-Edo LGA, for instance, the APC scored 34,847 votes compared to the PDP’s 15,865. Meanwhile, in Orhionmwon LGA, the APC secured 16,059 votes, outpacing the PDP’s 14,189.
Other notable results include:
- Ovia North East LGA: APC – 13,225, PDP – 15,311
- Esan West LGA: APC – 12,952, PDP – 8,618
- Esan North East LGA: APC – 10,648, PDP – 12,522
- Etsako East LGA: APC – 20,167, PDP – 9,683
As tensions rise over the delayed results from the remaining two local governments, both parties have urged INEC to ensure the final process is conducted transparently. “We urge INEC to uphold its integrity and deliver a verdict that reflects the will of the people,” said a PDP official.
The collation is expected to resume shortly, with the outcome likely to determine the direction of Edo’s next governor. Prof. Adamu has reassured voters that the process is being handled with care. “We are committed to delivering a result that is free and fair, and we call on everyone to remain patient as we conclude the process.”
With two local governments left to be declared, the outcome remains uncertain, and both parties are keeping a close watch on the final announcements.
Emmanuel Ochayi is a journalist. He is a graduate of the University of Lagos, School of first choice and the nations pride. Emmanuel is keen on exploring writing angles in different areas, including Business, climate change, politics, Education, and others.
