Amid downpour, many voters in Edo State on Saturday came out en masse to partake in the off-cycle governorship election in the state.
The leading contenders for the election include Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, voting exercise commenced at exactly 8:40 a.m. at the Eguare Primary School, Ujiogba in Esan West Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, which hosts three polling units.
Regardless of the rain, voters lined up for accreditation and voting, which were held simultaneously.
At the polling unit II, ward 2, some of the voters took cover with their umbrellas, while others queued in the rain.
One of the voters, Samuel Samson, told NAN that the voting process started at 8:30 a.m.
“The electoral officials got here overnight, but the polling booth opened exactly at 8:30 a.m.,” he said.
At Igueben, Igueben LGA, canopies were mounted in some of the polling units to shield voters from the downpour.
Seventeen candidates are vying for the governorship position, with sixteen men and one woman in the running.
They include…
Action Alliance, AA, – Tom Iseghohi
New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP – Azena Azemhe Friday
All Progressives Grand Alliance – Osifo Isiah
All Progressives Congress – Senator Monday Okpebholo
People’s Democratic Party – Asue Ighodalo
Labour Party – Olumide Akpata
All People Movement – Ugiagbe Sylvester
All Peoples Party – Areleogbe Osalumese
Action Democratic Party – Kingson Akhime Afere
African Action Congress – Udoh David
Zenith Labour Party – Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena
Boot Party – Osirame Edeipo
Accord Party – Iyere Kennedy.
African Democratic Congress – Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen
Peoples Redemption Party -Patience Key Ndidi
Young Progressive Party – Paul Okungbowa Ovbokhan
Social Democratic Party – Aner Abdullahi Aliu
