Benin City, Nigeria – As results continue to trickle in from the Edo State gubernatorial election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are neck-and-neck, while the Labour Party trails at a distant third.
The Bureau Newspaper reporters present at polling units in Oredo Ward observed that the APC and PDP are closely competing, with the Labour Party struggling to gain ground. Below are some of the polling unit results:
- Polling Unit 5 (Total Registered Voters: 697)
APC: 26 votes
PDP: 58 votes
LP: 7 votes - Polling Unit 6 (Total Registered Voters: 560)
APC: 46 votes
PDP: 50 votes
LP: 14 votes - Polling Unit 7 (Total Registered Voters: 821)
APC: 38 votes
PDP: 44 votes
LP: 9 votes - Polling Unit 8 (Total Registered Voters: 643)
APC: 56 votes
PDP: 35 votes
LP: 4 votes
Meanwhile, The Bureau Newspaper earlier reported concerns from YIAGA, a socio-political organisation, regarding incidents of vote-buying in several areas across Edo State. Election monitors revealed that agents of both the APC and PDP were seen bribing voters with cash sums of N10,000 in multiple locations, including Ikpoba/Okha, Igueben, Esan West, Akoko Edo, Owan West, and Uhunmodi Local Government Areas.
In some polling units, the voting process faced disruptions. In Ikpoba/Okha LGA, voters halted accreditation due to the absence of an official stamp on INEC documents. Additionally, altercations between supporters of the two major parties over alleged bribery caused the suspension of voting in certain areas, while political thugs disrupted the process in other locations.
As results continue to come in, the contest remains tense, with widespread concerns about electoral irregularities.
