THE candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the governorship election held today, Saturday, September 21, in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has expressed confidence in winning the election.
He said unless something untoward happens, he will beat other candidates at the poll.
He stated this while speaking to journalists after casting his vote at his polling unit at Okaigben Ward 1, Unit 3, Ewohinmi.
“We are confident, we are hopeful, we are good. If it’s this election, we will win hands down.
“Except something goes very wrong, we are hopeful of winning this election,” Ighodalo boasted.
Ighodalo expressed optimism of a good result as a result of reports he has across the state.
Earlier, the PDP candidate accused the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) of arresting a member of his party who was waiting to vote.
He described the situation as an attempt to intimidate his supporters.
According to him, the police gave no reason for their action.
He encouraged voters who had not voted to come out and do so.
“In Uromi unit 3, one of our supporters was arrested there about an hour ago by men in mufti carrying guns. Nobody should carry guns into a polling unit. That is against the law.,” he said.
He called for vigilance and measures to ensure a peaceful and fair electoral process.
The ICIR gathered that officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) arrived late at Ighodalo’s polling unit in Idinrio community, Esan South-East Local Government Area.
The election is held with over 2.2 million voters with permanent voter cards (PVC)
Front runners in the election are Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ighodalo, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
The winner will occupy the government house known as Osadebe House, on November 11, after the tenure of the incumbent, Godwin Obaseki, who has served two terms.
The ICIR reported on the eve of the election that despite a tense atmosphere that greeted the political process, there was palpable calm across the state.
A reporter with the ICIR
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