Olumide Akpata, the candidate representing the Labour Party (LP) in the governorship race, was defeated at his polling unit by his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) counterpart, Asue Ighodalo.
At Polling Unit 11, Ward 6, Oredo Local Government Area, Ighodalo received 41 votes, while Akpata secured 32. Senator Monday Okpehbolo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came third in the unit with 19 votes.
After casting his ballot, Ighodalo confidently claimed he would secure a landslide victory in the governorship election. He urged those at home to come out and cast their votes.
Akpata had urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a fair and equitable playing field for all candidates. He expressed optimism that every voter in Edo State could cast their votes peacefully and without any obstacles.
Furthermore, he implored INEC to uphold transparency throughout the process, ensuring no candidate is unfairly favoured. Akpata emphasised the importance of allowing all party agents access to the collation centres to observe the announcement of results.
The ongoing gubernatorial race in Edo State has attracted considerable attention nationwide, with Akpata urging INEC to fulfil its mandate of conducting a fair and transparent election.