Edo 2024: Meet Candidates Contesting For Gov’Ship Election

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It’s barely 24 hours for voters in Edo State to elect their next Executive Governor as they head to the polling units on Saturday, September 21 to pick the most qualified among those contesting for thd exalted seat.

Among the frontrunners for the top job are Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that out of the 2,629,025 registered voters in Edo State, a total of 2,249,780 Permanent Voter’s Cards (PVCs) have been collected ahead of the election, leaving 379,245 PVCs uncollected (14.43%).

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Regardless, voting will take place across 4,519 polling units across the state.

Seventeen candidates, including sixteen men and one woman, are vying for the governorship position.

Below is an overview of each candidate contesting for the exalted seat of Edo State:

1. Monday Okpebholo

Senator Monday Okpebholo is the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo State gubernatorial election and a sitting Senator representing Edo Central senatorial district in the 10th National Assembly.

Okpebholo hails from Udomi in Uwesan-Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area.

2. Asue Ighodalo

Asue Ighodalo, a governorship candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the anticipated Edo State gubernatorial election is from Okaigben, Ewohimi in Esan South-East Local Government Area of the State.

As a prominent figure in Edo Central, Ighodalo is in race to be the next executive governor of the State following is resignation as the Chairman of Sterling Bank.

It will interest you to known that Ighodalo served as an Economic Adviser to former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole under the APC government and the current Governor, Godwin Obaseki.

3. Olumide Akpata

Olumide Akpata, a candidate of the Labour Party (LP) is the former National Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and has previously held the position of Senior Partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Templars law firm until August 31, 2023.

4. Tom Iseghohi

Tom Iseghohi who is the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) was once the Group Managing Director of the Transnational Corporation of Nigeria, but left the role in 2014.

He currently serves as the Chairman of Emerging Global Capital.

5. Azena Azemhe Friday

Azena Azemhe Friday, a South-South regional pastor at Omega Fire Ministries is the governorship candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Saturday’s Governorship election in Edo State.

He is from Okpekpe in Etsako-East Local Government Area, within the Edo North senatorial district.

6. Osifo Isaiah

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) – Osifo Isiah

Osifo Isiah is the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Saturday’s governorship election.

Isaiah who hails from Imalele Osifo quarters in Uvbenisi, Uhunmwode Local Government Area is a former chief of staff to ex-Edo State Governor, Oserheimen Osunbor and a former Chairman of Uhunmwonde Local Government Council.

7. Ugiagbe Sylvester

Ugiagbe Sylvester, the All People Movement (APM) flagbearer, holds a degree from Auchi Polytechnic.

8. Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena

Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena, is the flag bearer of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) aged 43, holds a bachelor’s degree. He has chosen Idubor Joyce as his running mate for the election.

9. Iyere Kennedy

Iyere Kennedy is the flag bearer of Accord Party(AP) a human rights advocate, withdrew from the 2024 Edo Gubernatorial election on Friday.

10. Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen

Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen is the flag bearer of African Democratic Congress (ADC). He is an engineer whose campaign vision is to transform Edo State into a hub of prosperity, innovation, and opportunity.

11. Patience Key Ndidi

Patience Key Ndidi is the flag bearer of Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and the only female candidate in the race. She is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and humanitarian, she is from Ekhekhen in Igueben Local Government Area.

12. Paul Okungbowa Ovbokhan

Paul Okungbowa Ovbokhan is the flag bearer of Young Progressive Party (YPP) and an educationist, entrepreneur, and life coach with a degree from the University of Benin.

13. Aner Abdullahi Aliu

According to INEC records, Aner Abdullahi Aliu is the social democratic party(SDP) flag bearer and a WAEC certificate holder. He firmly believes that the SDP represents Edo State’s best hope for positive change.

14. Areleogbe Osalumese

Areleogbe Osalumese, All Peoples Party (APP) flagebearer is an accountant by profession, and a native of Ewohimi in Esan South-East Local Government Area.

15. Kingson Akhime Afere

Kingson Akhime Afere, 37, is the flag bearer of Action Democratic Party (ADP).
He once ran for the Edo North senatorial post in the 2023 election but lost to Adams Oshiomhole.