Live Updates: Edo governorship election
Today is Edo governorship election. The people of Edo State will decide who succeeds Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The voters
According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, 2.249 million voters collected their Permanent Voters Cards, PVCs.
However, there are 2,629,025 registered voters. Edo South has 1,526,699; Edo North, 673,794, and Edo Central, 440,514.
These voters in the Edo election are spread across 18 local government areas, 192 wards and 4,519 polling units.
The candidates
There are 17 men and a woman who want Obaseki’s job. But only one will mount the saddle on November 12, and steer the affairs of the state till 2028.
Three-horse race
Today’s Edo governorship election has panned out as a three-horse race between the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s Dr Asue Ighodalo; the All Progressives Congress, APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo, both from Edo Central; and Labour Party, LP’s Mr. Olumide Akpata, Edo South.
Updates
Stay with us for updates as the Edo election process unfolds. We will bring you videos, pictures, and stories as events develop real-time.
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Police nab two political thugs with guns
The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of two political thugs during an overnight raid across several locations in Edo State.
This was confirmed by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to Adejobi, the suspects — Edwin Obanor, 43, and Audu Tajudeen, 41 — were apprehended in separate incidents.
The police, acting on a tip-off about plans to incite violence during the election, recovered three cut-to-size locally fabricated pistols from Obanor and one locally made gun from Tajudeen.
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Early morning fuel queue
Long queue for petrol at NNPCL Filing Station beside Protea Hotel, Sapele Road, Benin City. Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire
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Journalists at the ready
Photo: Akpokona Omafuaire
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Empty streets, residents trekking
Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire
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Heavy security presence, major roads blocked
The front of Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Akpakpava Road, Benin City. Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire
Empty New Benin Road, Benin City.
By Akpokona Omafuaire, Benin-City
There is a heavy security presence across Benin City on election day, as fearful-looking soldiers blocked all major roads, while voters trek distances to their polling units.
At Sakponba Road, Vanguard observed that as early as 4 a.m., security men have used tyres to condone off the main road.
People, who left early to get to vote were stopped and searched thoroughly. But at 6 a.m., the roads were completely shut down.
Those who understand the road network had to divert to streets to get to their locations.
It was observed that people on essential services were allowed to move after a scrutiny and search.
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Akpata addresses journalists
Olumide Akpata, Labour Party governorship candidate, briefing journalists.
Photos: Akpokona Omafuaire.
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