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Live Updates: 2020 Edo State Governorship Election

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The 2020 Edo State Governorship Election (#EdoDecides2020) holds today, 19 September 2020 and Edo electorates will decide who occupies the Dennies Osadebay Government House for the next four years.

From Edo South to Edo Central right down to Edo North electorates would troop out today to elect the individual they can trust to pilot the affairs of the state until 2024.

Candidates and their agents will struggle to outsmart their opponents in Benin, Ekpoma, Ubiaja, Etsako East, Etsako West, Etsako Central Akoko-Edo, Owan amongst other places.

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Though many candidates will be vying for the number one seat in the state, the race is majorly between the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and the incumbent governor of the State, Godwin Nogheghase Obaseki of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Accusations and counter-accusation have trailed the build-up to the Edo election with many vested interests but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has insisted on conducting a free and fair election.

Many see the Edo State Governorship Election as a litmus test or a determinant on how the 2023 general election would look like.

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Stick to Naija News by refreshing this page for the latest updates in the 2020 Edo State Governorship Election.

11:45: the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the ongoing gubernatorial election in Edo, Godwin Obaseki, has cast his vote.

Obaseki voted at his polling unit 19, ward 04 in Oredo local area.

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11:00 The Former National Chairman, of the All Progressive Congress party, Adams Oshiomhole has voted at his polling unit: 01, Ward 10, Iramoh.

10:40 Idimu-Owu Primary School 2, Ward 06 PU 04, Ebelle, Igueben LGA.

People are going to a house where money is being shared by APC. Some DSS operatives hampered my video recording, according to Premium times journalist. But I can establish the fact that money is being shared because voters are directed there once they had voted.

10:30 Ihunmudumu/Idumebo/Uke/Ujemen, R.A 05 PU 005, Uke Primary School.

Voting is going on smoothly in this unit.

10:26 Igueben LG Ward 3 ( Afuda/ Idumuoka) PU 002.

A serious argument ensued between party agents as some of them used their boys to assist elderly voters to cast their votes

10:11 AM Ward 16, Customary Court 002 (Warrake), Owan East.

An APC agent was seen sharing tickets to voters after exercising their franchise as they communicate in their indigenous language which I barely understand. There’s no compliance with COVID 19 guidelines in this polling Unit.

10:05 AM: Idimu-Owu Primary School 2 Ebelle Ward 06 PU 04

The scene is becoming rowdy.

9:40 AM Esan North East LGA, Ubierumu (Ward 11), Ubierumu – Uwa Primary School (PU 003):

Voting is yet to commence in this polling unit. An INEC official said the delay was because of the absence of security officers at the unit. She said they contacted the appropriate quarters but the security officers promised them were yet to arrive.

Some security officers finally arrived in a bus at 9:50 a.m and voting is now set to begin. Some private security guards were also noticed at the voting centre. But they had been instructed to leave the area by the police as of 10:04 a.m.

9:35 AM. Igueben LGA, Edo Central, PU:002 IGUEBEN-Uhe RA: 04 (Uhe/Udimogbo) Voting exercise has began. The gathering is devoid of physical distancing which is not in line with Covid-19 elections protocol.

9:33 AM Ward 2 of Olo motor park, Unit 38, Ikpoba-Okha local government area. Accreditation hasn’t commenced as they said the INEC ad-hoc staffs just arrived with the electoral materials.

9:32 AM At unit 5, Olo motor park, Ward 2, Ikpoba-Okha local government, accreditation has begun. In fact, the environment is serene as the voters are observing the Covid-19 protocols.

09:30: The governorship candidate of the APC in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, has casted his vote.

Iyamu who expressed confidence that he would win the election voted at at polling unit 26, ward 5 in Iguododo community, Orionhwon Local Government Area.

09:30 AM: Ward 6, Unit 2 Orhionmwon local government. The INEC official announced to the electorate that the elderly can choose a voter of his/her choice to help him/her cast their vote.

9:19 AM: Two buses of security personnel just arrived at PU2, Ward 6, Okogbo p/school, Orhionmwon local government.

09:17 AM at PU 02, Blessed Assurance Nur/Pri School, Ogida ward, Egor LG, the election is ongoing. Social distancing is not being observed as electorates are clustered together. Preferences are given to elderly ones.

09:12 AM The first electorate cast his vote at Ward 6, PU2, Orhionmwon local government.

The A.P.O arranged electorate to observe social distancing. Hand sanitizer is being used for the electorate and voters without proper face mask are not allowed to vote.

8:56 AM,the of Unit 2, Ward 4 Aduwawa, Ikpoba-Okha local government, introduces himself and his colleagues to the voters and provides sensitive instructions to them as they get set to cast their votes.

8:55 AM, Aduwawa Secondary School, Registration Area Center, Ikpoba Okha, LG, accreditation process yet to commence. #EdoDecides2020.

8:54 AM: Accreditation and voting commenced at Unit 3, PU 1, Egor Primary School, Egor Ward, Egor LG.

8:52 AM, Orhionwmwon LG, Urhonigbe Ward, 07, the first person cast his vote.

8: 41 AM, PU 7 Ward 2 Okokpon OVIA SOUTH WEST LGA, the APO is sanitised the voters’ hands before proceeding to vote.

8:35 AM, Voting Point 1 PU 07 Ward 2 Okokpon P/S school, as voting is starting, the assistant presiding officer is giving instructions on Covid 19 regulations and there is general practice of social distancing. There is also hand sanitizer and the wearing of face mask is made compulsory, without it there is no voting.

8:26, PU 8 Ward 2 Okpon Ovia South West Local Government, the presiding officer is seen complaining about a lack of chairs for the officers to work, even though the electorates are already coming around.
8:23 AM PU 03 Ward 5 Owan East LGA, party agent confirming the ballot papers, they are trying to know the figures.
8:17 AM Ward 2, Unit 7, Etsako West LGA.

Thermometer for this unit is not working. Voters are already at the ex venue waiting for the commencement of this exercise.

08:14 AM Ward 4 PU 19-28 (Emokpae Model Primary School/Obaseki’s voting unit), Oredo LGA

The dispute between APC members and an electoral officer they alleged to be a PDP member has now been settled with intervention of the police. There is calm and voters are gathering. Electoral officers are still setting up materials. 

8:10 AM PU 07, Ward 5 Owan East LGA

Voters also queuing up without maintaining social distancing.

8:10 AM Ward 01, PU:01

INEC officials cleaning some prints off the ballot box. They refused to let the observer see what it is. all about.

8:10 AM Ward 1, Unit 1, Etsako West LGA, Auchi

People still checking their names on the voters’ list. Some complained about their names missing and showed this reporter their voter’s cards.

8:07 AM: According to INEC officials voting will commence by 8: 30 AM, however, INEC officials are nowhere to be found at some polling units.

8:05 a.m Owan East LGA, PU 06 Ward 5

Voters have formed a queue without observing social distancing.

8:03 AM Unit 23, Iwogbor, Ward 1, Ikpoba Okha Local Government

Election materials and adhoc staff are yet to arrive at polling units. Security officials and voters are hanging around outside.

7:57 AM Ohiomowhwon LG, RG Area Abiokunla 01, Ago-Ogbeide Polling Unit 004

The electoral officers are preparing election materials, voters are checking the pasted voters’ registration list.However, presiding officers are still having problem with operating the infrared thermometer meant for testing the temperature of voters.

7:57 AM Akoko Edo: Ward 8, Unit 11

Voters are waiting for voting materials without observing social distancing.

7:56 AM  Ikopba/Okha Ward1, PU 22.

Election materials and adhoc staff are yet to arrive at the polling unit. Voters are waiting

07:55 AM Olua P/S The RAC for Egor wards 06 and 07

The situation is calm as voters anticipate the commencement of the voting process. However, there is no adherence to the COVID-19 regulations whatsoever.

7:55 AM: Ward 1, Unit 3, Etsako West LGA

Voting unit of Muhammed Kadri, the councillor of the area. Chairs arranged for voters and officials said voting starts at 8:30.

07:49 AM Ward 4 PUs 19-28 (Emokpae Model Primary School, Oredo LGA (Governor Obaseki’s polling unit)

Chaotic situation as APC members asked an electoral officer to step down. They claimed he is a PDP registered member and thus could not be an electoral officer.

7:46 AM Etsako West Local Government Ward 003 (Auchi 2) PU: 005

Electoral officers are setting up electoral materials, as voters are turning out early.

7:45 AM, Etsako West Code 09, Auchi ii Code 003 PU Fed Poly Auchi Code 005

INEC adhoc staff are still setting up things at the polling units.

07:40 AM: Voting is expected to commence by 8 a.m. across all polling units in the state.

7:38 AM Ward 5 Unit 2 Etsako Central

Voters are getting ready for accreditation while INEC officials are doing an orientation on how to vote with all materials ready. Social distancing not being observed.

7:35 AM, Unit1 Ward 5 Uhralo Primary School, Etsako Central LGA

INEC officials getting ready for the election process with security officers on standby.

7:35 AM, LG:07, Ward 01, PU:01. Assistant Presiding officers paste the list of Accredited Voters.

07:25 AM: Ward 1 PU 4 (Oba’s Palace) Oredo LGA: Some voters are spotted at the scene of the election, waiting for INEC officials ahead of poll opening at 8 a.m.

Some voters are seen removing banners as they are not expected to be seen at the polling unit.

07:22 AM Olua Primary School, RAC for Egor Ward 06 & 07

INEC officials and election materials are set for distribution in a train of buses to the various polling units in the two wards.

7:20 AM Unit 6, Uselu II, Egor LG,

INEC ad-hoc staff have arrived and are setting up non-sensitive election materials in preparation for voting.

7:07 AM Okada Grammar School of RA 1 (Okada West) APOIII

Officials pasting lists of valid registrations as voters check for their names on the list.

As at 7:08 AM, ESAN Southeast LGA, at Ubiaja, men of the Nigerian Army are restricting vehicle movements.

Further information gathered revealed that there are three checkpoints along the council secretariat that leads to the INEC LG office.

6:38 AM: Police officers are currently being briefed at the Igueben Police Station, Igueben.