BREAKING: Tensions rise in Edo as Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announces date for resumption of counting of election results

Legitimate.ng Journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering politics and elections in Nigeria.

Benin City, Edo State – Tensions escalated at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the early hours of Sunday, September 22, forcing INEC to postpone the final tabulation of results of the 2024 Edo State governorship election until 10am.

INEC made the announcement in the early hours of Sunday, September 22, at its headquarters in Benin, the Edo State capital, which also serves as the final classification centre.

Edo Election Update

Anugbum Omuoha, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), promised that the counting process would be completely transparent.

The INEC statement reads in part:

“This is to inform the general public, stakeholders and observers that the collation of results of the ongoing Edo State governorship election will resume today, Sunday, September 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.

“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of the parties as we work to ensure a credible and accurate outcome of this important election.”

Legitimate.ng INEC’s announcement comes hours after voting officially ended in the 4,519 polling stations in Edo on Saturday, September 21.

While many expected the commission to begin the announcement of results from the 18 local governments at the Benin City counting centre, tangible activity took place there on Saturday evening, September 21.

Who won the 2024 Edo State governorship election?

A circulating Edo Local Government Area election result has strongly insinuated that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has won the 2024 governorship election in the state.

The viral screenshot crediting the PDP with victory in the 2024 elections bears the logo of Nigerian online newspaper, Premium Times. The claim, which began circulating on Saturday afternoon, September 21, suggested that the PDP triumphed in 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Edo while the APC won the other five.

However, reacting via a disclaimer on Saturday evening, September 21, the media platform stressed that the purported local government results attributed to it as a source were taken from the official results of the 2020 Edo State governorship election.

Source: Legit.ng