Edo Decides: Celebration in PDP’s situation room as Obaseki maintains lead

There was jubilation in the Situation Room of the Peoples Democratic Party in Benin as its candidate in the Edo State Governorship Election, Godwin Obaseki, maintained the lead.

This is according to results announced so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

In a video that surfaced online on Sunday, officials in the situation room were joyful.

Some of them were seen shouting “4=4” and “4+4”.

The video also showed the officials, including Obaseki, clapping as results trickled in.

The PUNCH had reported that Obaseki recorded more votes from the results of the 13 Local Governments declared so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

With two additional local governments’ results announced by INEC, the PDP still has the highest number of votes.

However, the All Progressives Congress recorded more votes in the two LGAs.

At Akoko Edo LGA, APC had 22,963 votes while PDP got 20,101. Also, at Etsako East LGA, APC polled 17,011 and PDP 10,668 votes.

Obaseki is leading Ize-Iyamu by a margin of over 76,000 votes.

Although 17 political parties fielded candidates for the election, it is a two-way race between APC and PDP.

Incumbent Governor Obaseki of PDP ran against APC candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

Obaseki was elected on APC’s platform in 2016 but defected to the PDP after being denied the ticket owing to intra-party squabbles.

The election held in 18 Local Government Areas, 192 Wards, and 2,627 polling units. Punch