The 2,249,780 voters in Edo State that have collected their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) out of the 2,590,603 registered by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would on Saturday go to their respective polling units to decide who wins the coveted seat out of the 17 governorship candidates of the contesting political parties.
The three leading candidates are Asue Ighodalo of the governing Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olumide Akpata of Labour Party (LP), and Monday Okpebholo of All Progressives Congress (APC).
This was as Akpata, on Friday, debunked the rumour making the rounds that he has stepped down from the governorship race.
Likewise, the APC described the purported magistrate court ruling disqualifying its candidate, Okpebholo, as false.
A breakdown of the total number of registered voters by INEC showed that Edo South, with a total number of registered voters at 1,526,717 or 59 per cent, could be the battleground and may end up deciding who wins the election. Also, Edo North has a total of 620,412 (24 per cent) registered voters while Edo Central has a total of 443,474 (17 per cent) registered voters.
The figures obtained from INEC on the three senatorial districts also showed that Edo South, Ikpoba Okha LGA has the highest voting population with 400,495 registered voters; Oredo LGA has a total of 357,371 registered voters; Egor – 242,226 registered voters; Ovia North East – 177,106 registered voters; Orhionmwon – 140, 670; Ovia South West with a total of 113,924 registered voters and Uhunmwonde with 94,925 registered voters.
On the other hand, Edo North has the second largest voting population with the Estako West having 133,067 registered voters; Akoko-Edo with 144,379 voters; Owan East with 106, 796 voters. Others are Etsako East with 102,454 voters, Owan West with 73,732 and Etsako Central 59,984 voters respectively.
Edo Central Senatorial District, where the APC and PDP candidates hail from, has the least voting population with Esan West having the highest voting population in the district with 133,067 voters; Esan North East with 102,280 voters and Esan South East with 90,240 voters. Others are Esan Central with the 63,338 voting population and finally, Igueben LGA with the least voting population of 54,549 registered voters.
In the meantime, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, has set up a Situation Room to monitor the election.
A statement signed by the State Chairman of the Union, Festus Alenkhe, called on journalists and members of the general public to also hook up on the union’s Facebook page (EDO NUJ) and other channels that will be used during the election.
The statement added that NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, would preside over the situation room activities.
Candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Olumide Akpata, on Friday, debunked the rumour making the rounds that he has stepped down from the race.
Addressing journalists in Benin City, Akpata said “I remain steadfast in the race.”
Early on Friday, the social media went viral with a statement purportedly written by Akpata, saying he has stepped down for the candidate of the PDP
He said: “I have been inundated with a flood of calls and messages from friends and supporters, which constrains me from releasing this statement to dispel the wicked rumour circulating that I have decided to step down and support the PDP candidate in Saturday’s governorship election. This falsehood is illustrative of the evil machinations of those who have held our state down for a quarter of century and demonstrates the shallowness that has characterised their governance style.”
Akpata also said, “Let me be unequivocally clear: I am still in the race. The notion that I would step down on the eve of the election, after the overwhelming support received from the good people of our state, borders of delusion. This pathetic attempt at deception is so amateurish that the ‘Oluwole’ forger could not even get the date right, leaving July 29, 2024 on their fraudulent document. Such incompetence would be laughable if it were not so sinister in its intent.”
The LP candidate who noted that the desperate tactics of the perpetrators of the fraud had exposed their fear, pointing out that if they claim he is a mere spoiler, why did they resort to such an underhanded method, an action that has betrayed their panic at this unstoppable momentum.
Also, the Labour Party refuted widespread rumours suggesting that Akpata had withdrawn from the race.
In a statement released late on Friday, Labour Party labelled the reports that its candidate, Olumide Akpata had withdrawn as false and part of a deliberate campaign of misinformation designed to confuse voters and undermine Akpata’s candidacy.
The Labour Party reiterated its commitment to the electoral process, emphasising that Akpata is firmly in the race and remains focused on delivering positive change to Edo State. The statement reassured voters that the party and its candidate are determined to see through their vision of good governance and a brighter future for the state.
The APC also described the purported magistrate court ruling disqualifying its candidate, Okpebholo as false.
The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Felix Morka in a statement issued on Friday, said the fake news was meant to sow seeds of doubt about the APC candidate.
He described the purported court ruling as a blatant and calculated attempt to subvert the will of the Edo electorate, saying it must be thoroughly rejected by the good and discerning people of Edo State.
Morka said: “In the final hours of the Edo State Gubernatorial Election scheduled to be held tomorrow Saturday, September 21, 2024, certain political parties have desperately resorted to forgery, disinformation and blackmail by circulating a fake Magistrate court ruling purportedly disqualifying Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC Gubernatorial Candidate in the election.
“The circulated ruling is fake, a fabrication and an act of pure desperation in the face of their imminent defeat at the polls.
“The Magistrate Court that purportedly issued the “fake ruling” has issued a disclaimer stating categorically that the “fake ruling” did not emanate from that court.
“The fake news meant to sow seeds of doubt about the APC candidate is a blatant and calculated attempt to subvert the will of the Edo electorate and must be thoroughly rejected by the good and discerning people of Edo State.
“This illegal and underhand tactic of the parties involved constitutes a despicable attack on our electoral democracy. We call on our law enforcement agencies to identify, investigate and bring the perpetrators swiftly to justice.
“We urge voters in Edo State to remain vigilant and resolute in the exercise of their democratic rights at tomorrow’s polls. We trust that the Edo people will reject this and other illegal devices by desperate candidates and their parties to subvert this important election.
“Senator Monday Okpebholo is, and remains, the standard bearer of the APC in tomorrow’s Edo State Gubernatorial Election.”
Adibe Emenyonu, Deji Elumoye, Chuks Okocha, Adedayo Akinwale, Linus Aleke, Kuni Tyessi
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