The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that the official collation of results for the 2024 Edo State governorship election will commence at 10 AM on Sunday, September 22. INEC’s head office in Benin, the state capital, has been designated as the central collation centre for the election.
The delay in the formal announcement of results has led to rising tension across the state, with political stakeholders and supporters anxiously awaiting the outcome. In a statement issued by Dr. Anugbum Onuoha, the Edo State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), INEC reaffirmed its commitment to transparency in the process, urging all parties to maintain peace and order.
“This is to inform the general public, political stakeholders, and observers that the collation of results for the ongoing Edo State governorship election will resume today at 10:00 AM,” the statement read.
Onuoha also emphasized that the collation would adhere strictly to INEC guidelines and regulations, assuring all parties of a credible and accurate result.
The election saw a dramatic moment earlier in the day when Governor Godwin Obaseki, a key supporter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, visited the INEC office to address concerns about the delay in announcing results. The governor, accompanied by security aides, held a closed-door meeting with the REC, which reportedly lasted over an hour.
The visit sparked protests from supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who accused Obaseki of improper conduct. However, the leader of the protest was later allowed to join the meeting.
Meanwhile, INEC has been uploading results to its Result Viewing Portal (IReV), showing significant progress in the collation process. As of early morning, 4,439 out of 4,519 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing over 96% of the total. Early reports from the portal indicate that APC’s Senator Monday Okpebholo leads in Edo North, while PDP’s Dr. Asue Ighodalo is ahead in Edo South.
Tensions remain high as the final results are awaited, with the official collation set to begin shortly. INEC has reiterated its call for calm and patience as the process unfolds.
