All arrangements to hold the Edo State Governorship election which 17 political parties will participate in on Saturday, September 21, 2024, have been concluded, with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), affirming that sufficient materials and officials have been deployed for the exercise.
According to INEC, 16 are male while one is female. Patience Ndidi of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) is the only female candidate vying for the exalted position.
During the gubernatorial election, voting will take place in the 4,519 Polling Units spread across the state.
The leading candidates in the election are Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Comrade Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
The INEC said that out of 2,629,025 registered voters in Edo State, 2,249,780 Permanent Voter’s Cards have been collected ahead of the governorship election noting that 379,245 (14.43 per cent) of the PVCs remain uncollected.
The 17 governorship candidates are:
APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo currently representing Edo Central senatorial district in the National Assembly is Udomi in Uwesan-Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area.
PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, a former chairman of Sterling Bank and a former economic adviser to a former governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki is from Okaigben, Ewohimi, in Esan South-East LGA which is in Edo Central.
LP’s Olumide Akpata, former national chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is of the Edo South Senatorial district.
AA’s Tom Iseghohi was the former Group Managing Director of the Transnational Corporation of Nigeria and the Chairman of Emerging Global Capital.
Azena Azemhe Friday of the New Nigeria Peoples Party from the Okpekpe in Etsako-east LGA in Edo North senatorial district is a South-South regional pastor of Omega Fire Ministries.
Osifo Isiah of the All Progressives Grand Alliance from Imalele Osifo quarters in Uvbenisi, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State was a chief of staff to a former governor of the state, Oserheimen Osunbor and a former chairman of Uhunmwonde Local Government Council. He is from Imalele Osifo quarters in Uvbenisi, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State.
Ugiagbe Sylvester of All People Movement is a graduate of Auchi Polytechnic.
Areleogbe Osalumese of All Peoples Party is from Ewohimi, Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State. He is an accountant.
Kingson Akhime Afere of Action Democratic Party is from the Edo North senatorial post.
Udoh David of African Action Congress is from Emu, Esan South Local Government Area of Edo State.
Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena ofthe Zenith Labour Party holds a bachelor’s degree and has chosen Idubor Joyce as his running mate.
Osirame Edeipo of the Boot Party holds a bachelor’s degree.
Iyere Kennedy of the Accord Party is a human rights advocate. He officially withdrew from the 2024 Edo Gubernatorial election on Friday.
Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen of the African Democratic Congress is an engineer whose vision is to transform Edo into a hub of prosperity, innovation, and opportunity.
Patience Key Ndidi of the Peoples Redemption Party is from Ekhekhen, Igueben Local Government Area, Edo State. She is the only female candidate. She is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and humanitarian.
Paul Okungbowa Ovbokhan of the Young Progressive Party is an educationist, entrepreneur, and life coach, with a degree from the University of Benin.
Aner Abdullahi Aliu of the Social Democratic Party holds a WAEC certificate, and he firmly believes the SDP is Edo State’s best hope for positive change.
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi affirmed the security outfit’s readiness to ensure peaceful elections..
Audi warned mischievous persons against election violence.
