Edo Gubernatorial Election: 17 Candidates Vie for Governorship

Voters in Edo State will head to the polls on Saturday, September 21, 2024, to elect a new governor.

Among the leading candidates are Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party (LP).

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

Voting will take place across 4,519 polling units, with 17 candidates — 16 men and one woman — competing for the governorship.

Candidate Overview:

All Progressives Congress (APC):

Senator Monday Okpebholo
Representing the Edo Central senatorial district, Okpebholo is from Udomi, Esan Central Local Government Area.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP):

Asue Ighodalo
A prominent figure from Esan South-East, Ighodalo has served as an economic adviser and previously chaired Sterling Bank.

Labour Party (LP):

Olumide Akpata
A former Nigerian Bar Association president, Akpata was the senior partner at Templars law firm.

Action Alliance (AA):

Tom Iseghohi
Formerly the Group Managing Director of Transcorp, Iseghohi is now the Chairman of Emerging Global Capital.

New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP):

Azena Azemhe Friday
A regional pastor at Omega Fire Ministries, Friday hails from Edo North.

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA):

Osifo Isiah
Isiah has served as a chief of staff and as chairman of Uhunmwonde Local Government Council.

All People Movement (APM):

Ugiagbe Sylvester
Sylvester holds a degree from Auchi Polytechnic.

All Peoples Party (APP):

Areleogbe Osalumese
An accountant from Ewohimi, Osalumese brings financial expertise to the race.

Action Democratic Party (ADP):

Akhime Afere

At 37, Afere previously contested for the Edo North senatorial seat.

African Action Congress (AAC):

Udoh David
A 37-year-old candidate from Esan South, David seeks to represent the AAC in the election.

Zenith Labour Party (ZLP):
Akhalamhe Amiemenoghena 

Amiemenoghena, 43, holds a bachelor’s degree and is campaigning with Idubor Joyce as his running mate.

Boot Party (BP):

Osirame Edeipo
Edeipo, 47, is running alongside Omorogbe Kingsley.

Accord Party (AP):
Iyere Kennedy

Kennedy, a human rights advocate, has withdrawn from the race.

African Democratic Congress (ADC):
Osarenren Derek Izedonmwen

An engineer, Izedonmwen aims to transform Edo State into a hub of innovation and prosperity.

Peoples Redemption Party (PRP):
Patience Key Ndidi

The only female candidate, Ndidi is an entrepreneur and philanthropist from Igueben Local Government Area.

Young Progressive Party (YPP):

Paul Okungbowa Ovbokhan
An educationist and life coach, Ovbokhan is a graduate of the University of Benin.

Social Democratic Party (SDP):

Aner Abdullahi Aliu
Holding a WAEC certificate, Aliu believes the SDP represents the best hope for Edo State’s future.