*Pix above: Okpebholo and APC chieftains showcasing dance steps
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, has taken the lead in the Edo governorship election after the collation of results from 16 of the 18 LGAs in the state.
Results from the remaining two LGAs are being expected at the collation centre of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Benin, the Edo capital.
The exercise commenced on Sunday morning after it failed to kick off after the election on Saturda.
So far, the APC has bagged 244,549 votes, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 195,954 while the Labour Party (LP) has polled 13,348 votes.
The election featured 17 candidates — but Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, Monday Okpebholo of the APC and Olumide Akpata of the LP are the major contenders.
From the results announced so far, the APC has won 10 LGAs while PDP, the ruling party in the state, trails closer in those LGAs.
For most parts of the collation process, PDP agents pushed back against results from various LGAs, describing some of them as “manufactured”.
Officials of INEC have appealed to aggrieved parties to embrace the appropriate channel to challenge the outcome of the election
The collation exercise is expected to resume by 5pm on Sunday.
Meanwhile, celebrations have erupted inside the APC’s situation room for the election as INEC announces results.
The margin of lead appeared to have triggered celebration in the APC camp as video from its situation room showed governors, supporters, and officials singing praise songs in anticipation of final victory.
Among the governors spotted in the room were Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State and Lucky Ayeidatiwa of Ondo State all of whom sang along with the elated crowd.
This is even as the incumbent Gov Godwin Obaseki and PDP’s candidate Asue Ighodalo are presently pushing for the postponement of further collation, alleging massive irregularities.(agency)///
