By 9jaeye 
Early exit polls from today’s Edo State Governorship Election indicate that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, is in the lead. Ighodalo gave a strong hint of his likely victory while speaking to reporters after casting his vote at Ward 1, PU 3 in Ewohimi, located in the Esan South-East Local Government Area.
The PDP candidate expressed confidence in the process and his chances of winning. “I am optimistic about the outcome of this election based on what I have seen so far,” said Ighodalo. He added that the response from voters across the state has been positive, and he remains hopeful as the election results start to roll in.
While expressing optimism, Asue Ighodalo also raised concerns about attempts by agents of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disrupt the voting process in some polling units across Edo State. He alleged that APC agents were involved in vote buying and other activities that could potentially undermine the integrity of the election.
“I have received reports of APC agents trying to interfere with the voting process, particularly through vote buying in several areas. This is unacceptable, and we hope the relevant authorities will act swiftly to prevent any further disruptions,” said Ighodalo.
Today’s governorship election in Edo State features a three-way contest between candidates from the major political parties. In addition to PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is represented by Monday Okpebholo, while the Labour Party (LP) candidate is Olumide Akpata. The election is seen as a crucial test for all three parties, with Edo Central being a particularly important battleground, as both the PDP and APC candidates come from the region.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier assured the public of a peaceful and fair election, warning all parties against any illegal activities. Despite these assurances, the allegations raised by Ighodalo suggest that the election process may face challenges as voting continues.
With over 2 million registered voters expected to participate in the election, the race remains competitive. While early exit polls suggest a lead for the PDP, the final results are still awaited. As the election progresses, all eyes will be on how the process unfolds, especially in the face of allegations of vote buying and disruptions.
More updates will follow as the story develops and official results are announced.