A governorship election in Edo State, Nigeria, saw candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, locked in a close race as results were being uploaded by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Early results indicated that Okpebholo led in the Edo North Senatorial District, while Ighodalo led in Edo South.
Both candidates won their respective polling units, but the election was marred by reports of vote-buying, especially in Edo Central and Edo North, where major parties were accused of offering between N2,000 and N20,000 to sway voters. Despite this, some voters, like 75-year-old Helen Titus, rejected the bribes, choosing to vote their conscience.
INEC’s process was delayed by early rains, but voting eventually proceeded, with a strong turnout across the state. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was deployed to curb electoral malpractices and arrested several suspects involved in vote-buying. Additionally, police arrested eight individuals linked to electoral offenses, including possession of weapons and pre-filled ballot papers.
Although the election was generally peaceful, PDP and Labour Party candidates accused the APC of vote-buying and other electoral malpractices. Both parties expressed confidence in their chances of winning, but final results had not been announced at the time of reporting.
