In a controversial turn of events, the Edo State Local Government election, which took place last Saturday, has left many questioning its fairness and legitimacy. Results released by the State Independent Electoral Commission indicate that the election covered all 18 local government areas of the state, spanning Edo North, Edo Central, and Edo South senatorial districts.
The key contenders in this electoral showdown were the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the Labour Party (LP). Here are the results that have stirred the pot of controversy:
PDP: 16,077
APC: 2,519
LP: 2,536
In Ovia South West, APC secured 5,361 votes, LP garnered 3,216 votes, while PDP claimed 10,721 votes. With a total of 89,897 registered voters, 21,442 were accredited, and 429 votes were invalidated.
Uhunmwode Local Government witnessed Adodo O. Kenneth of PDP declared as the winner with APC securing 2,317 votes, LP with 1,436 votes, and PDP leading with 15,615 votes. Of the 68,474 registered voters, 19,461 were accredited, with 27 votes declared invalid.
Ahonsi Dickson Idojemu of PDP triumphed in Owan West, securing 13,171 votes against APC’s 3,825 and LP’s 2,365. However, details like total registered voters, valid votes, and invalid votes were missing in this case.
In Akoko Edo, Tajudeen Alade Suleiman of PDP emerged as the victor with 21,417 votes, while APC secured 5,369 votes and LP with 2,083 votes. The total registered voters stood at 95,711, with 28,957 accredited voters and 10 invalidated votes.
Ato Benedicta of PDP was declared the winner in Etsako East, securing 16,428 votes against APC’s 4,076 and LP’s 1,711. However, specific figures for total registered voters, accredited voters, valid votes, and invalid votes were not provided.
Obomigie Imokhae Solomon of PDP was declared the winner in Etsako Central, with a substantial lead of 30,594 votes compared to APC’s 7,896 and LP’s 4,606. Detailed registration and voting statistics for this area were missing.
Zimbiril Marvelous of PDP clinched victory in Etsako West with a landslide, securing 98,046 votes. APC followed with 29,445 votes, and LP with 23,832 votes. Unfortunately, specific figures for total registered voters, accredited voters, valid votes, and invalid votes were not available.
DR. ERIC IYOBA OSAYANDE of PDP emerged as the winner in Ikpoba-Okha, with 27,768 votes, while APC secured 3,085 votes and LP with 3,857 votes. The total registered voters were 166,035, with 38,566 accredited voters and 771 invalidated votes.
Collins Osamede Ogbewe of PDP won in Ovia North East, securing 4,869 votes, while APC garnered 636 votes and LP with 617 votes. Of the 50,554 registered voters, 6,176 were accredited, and 11 votes were invalidated.
Asueleme Clement of PDP emerged victorious in Igueben with 5,262 votes, while APC secured 557 votes and LP with 660 votes. The total registered voters were 63,473, with 6,551 accredited voters and 11 invalidated votes.
In Esan Central, Iyoha Paul of PDP secured the win with 47,771 votes, outperforming APC’s 23,885 and LP’s 14,331 votes. Of the 129,850 registered voters, 97,299 were accredited, and 1,911 votes were invalidated.
Ugiagbe Newman Oghomwen of PDP emerged victorious in Orhionmwon, securing 14,904 votes, while APC garnered 1,616 votes and LP with 1,737 votes. Registration details were absent, but 18,317 votes were deemed valid, with 21 votes invalidated.
Aigbogun O. Collins of PDP secured the win in Esan West with 11,963 votes, while APC secured 1,665 votes and LP with 2,183 votes. Of the 83,811 registered voters, 15,875 were accredited, and 9 votes were invalidated.
In Esan South East, Imadegbeho Luis of PDP secured a massive 16,072 votes, while APC secured 1,344 votes and LP with 791 votes. Registration details were missing, but 15,866 votes were declared valid.
In Esan North East, Inegbe Paul of PDP claimed victory with 20,702 votes, with APC securing 5,550 votes and LP with 3,298 votes. Total registered voters were 101,006, with 29,680 accredited voters and 16 invalidated votes.
Prince Aminu Kadiri of PDP was declared the winner in Owan East, securing 35,380 votes, while APC garnered 12,203 votes and LP with 7,695 votes. Unfortunately, specific registration and voting statistics were not provided.
Hon. Eghe Ogbemudia of PDP claimed victory in Egor with an overwhelming 70,293 votes, outperforming APC’s 8,308 and LP’s 10,188 votes. Of the 347,076 registered voters, 92,554 were accredited, and 1,506 votes were invalidated.
Lastly, Dr. Obaseki Tom Osazee of PDP was declared the winner in Oredo, though allegations of irregularities have arisen, with claims of villages not participating due to missing ballot boxes. This has raised questions about the integrity of the election, with accusations of it being more of a “selection” than a genuine democratic process.
The Edo State Local Government election has left many scratching their heads and raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the process, further fueling controversies surrounding the electoral system in the state.