The local government election in Edo State has been described as peaceful and encouraging despite reports of low voter turnout and delays in the arrival of electoral officers and materials across several polling units. Governor Monday Okpebholo, who cast his vote at Ward 2, Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area, praised the conduct of voters and security personnel. He noted that voting began early in his polling unit and that officials were present on time, contributing to a smooth process. The election, conducted by the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC), covered all 18 local government areas and 192 wards in the state.
Governor Okpebholo arrived at his polling unit at approximately 10:24 a.m. and commended the orderly behaviour of voters. He stated that feedback from other parts of the state indicated that the election was progressing peacefully. “The election is very peaceful and it is going smoothly based on the feedback we are getting from the field,” he said. He also emphasized that voter turnout was high, calling it a demonstration of grassroots democracy and evidence of public interest in selecting leaders for local governance. “By the grace of God, a winner will emerge at the end of today’s election,” he added.
Despite the governor’s positive assessment, numerous reports from across the state highlighted challenges. Many polling units experienced delays in the arrival of electoral materials and officials, leading to extended wait times for voters. Some areas recorded low turnout, raising concerns about voter engagement. The governor urged residents to maintain peace and patience throughout the day and to await the official results from EDSIEC.
Hon. Blessing Ebhodaghe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Esan West Local Government Area, also spoke after voting. As the current acting chairman, he commended voters for participating and expressed optimism about the election’s outcome. However, he acknowledged that turnout would likely be higher during a general election. Ebhodaghe pointed out that many eligible voters were disenfranchised due to issues during the recent voter registration and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection exercise.
The election marks another step in Edo State’s efforts to strengthen local governance and democratic participation. While challenges remain, the peaceful conduct observed so far reflects the resilience of the electoral process. As results are tallied, all eyes will be on EDSIEC to ensure transparency and fairness in the final declaration. The outcome will shape leadership at the grassroots level and influence future development in the state’s local governments.
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