The PDP announced Edo State's governorship election results ahead of INEC's official declaration, sparking controversy. Governor Umaru Fintiri claimed the figures were from their collation agents. As results show a close race between PDP’s Asue Ighodalo and APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo, tensions rise in Nigeria’s electoral landscape.
In a surprising move, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) announced the results of the Edo State governorship election ahead of the official declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). During a press conference on Sunday, PDP governors, led by Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri, claimed their figures were derived from ongoing collation by their agents.
According to the PDP, the announcement came as INEC had not yet completed its process at the central Collation Centre in Benin City. Fintiri asserted that the PDP was acting to provide transparency, stating that the numbers had been obtained before INEC disrupted their collation efforts.
As the election unfolds, results from approximately 97% of the 4,519 polling units have been uploaded to INEC’s Results Viewing (IReV) portal. Early indications show a tight contest between the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo. Notably, Ighodalo is leading in the Edo South Senatorial District, while Okpebholo holds an advantage in Edo North.
The political landscape remains charged as both parties vie for control in Edo State, with expectations for INEC to formally announce the results soon. The situation reflects the heightened tensions in Nigeria's political arena as parties navigate the electoral process amid allegations and claims of irregularities.
