By Abiola Olawale
The governorship candidate of the Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, has won the polling unit of Olumide Akpata, the candidate of the Labour Party (LP).
The New Diplomat reports that Ighodalo polled 41 votes at polling unit 11, Ward 06, Oredo LGA in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, to defeat Akpata, the former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who garnered 32 votes
Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), scored 19 votes.
Earlier, Akpata, while addressing the press after casting his vote, commended the voting process in his polling unit.
He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for ensuring a seamless process in his polling unit.
He said: “I voted according to the voting process, and everything went well.
“I want to hope that this is the experience of every Edo voter. I cannot make assumptions standing here. I am going to wait for feedback from around the different units and 192 wards in the state. We are hopeful that this will be the experience of every Edo voter.
“I am calling on INEC that the playing field should remain level. Nobody should be given any undue advantage. All party agents should be allowed into the collation centres so that we can all witness the process.
“Edo election is an off-cycle election, so INEC should have the luxury of deploying its resources to show the world that they can do it well. The playing field should be levelled to allow the best man or woman to win.
“I am hearing some concerning feedback from around the state but I cannot make any statement until I verify the source of my information. We have crossed one hurdle: I have voted, and my supporters should be allowed to vote.”
