Edo Election Update: A Snapshot of the 2024 Governorship Race

The Edo State governorship election on September 21, 2024, saw candidates from various parties, notably Monday Okpebholo (APC), Asue Ighodalo (PDP), and Olumide Akpata (Labour Party), vying for office. As of late evening, around 90% of results were uploaded on INEC's IReV portal, indicating a strong process towards transparency. Social media, particularly X, reflected a mix of real-time updates and early indications of leads, with PDP showing a lead in some reports. However, no official winner was declared by the end of the day, with the collation still ongoing at INEC's state collation centre. The election was marked by significant voter turnout despite challenges like weather, showcasing the electorate's commitment to democracy in Edo State.

Despite heavy rainfall, voters in Edo State demonstrated a high level of engagement, with Governor Godwin Obaseki commending the turnout as a testament to the people's commitment to democracy. The election saw the deployment of security forces to maintain peace, a move appreciated by observers and participants alike, ensuring that the process was largely peaceful across the state's 18 local government areas, 192 wards, and 4,519 polling units.

The main contenders included Monday Okpebholo from APC, Asue Ighodalo representing PDP, and Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party. Voter sentiment, as echoed on platforms like X, seemed divided but with a strong undercurrent of hope for a leader who could foster development, transparency, and good governance.