By Seyi Babalola
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued the final list of candidates for the upcoming Edo State Governorship Election.
One of the leading candidates on the list is Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Also on the list is Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), among others
This comes despite the Commission’s decision to allow political parties to begin public campaigns on Wednesday, April 24th, 2024.
The campaigns will expire at midnight on Thursday, September 19, 2024.
In a statement by Sam Olumekun, National Commissioner & Chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, INEC disclosed that 17 political parties have fielded candidates for the election out of which 16 are male while one is female.
Olumekun said the final list has been published at INEC’s office in Edo State and also uploaded to the Commission’s website and social media platforms for public information.
“The Commission is pleased to announce the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election. Following the initial primaries, the Commission published the personal particulars of the Governorship candidates and their running mates in our State and Local Government offices in Edo State.
“Overall, seventeen (17) political parties are fielding candidates in the election. Sixteen (16) are male while one (1) is female. The final list, which also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age, academic qualifications and disability, has been published at our office in Edo State and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information.
“With the publication of the final list of candidates for the Edo State Governorship Election, the next activity is electioneering campaign.
“Therefore, Political Parties are now permitted to start campaign in public from Wednesday 24th April 2024 and end at midnight on Thursday 19th September 2024 as indicated in items 8 and 12 of the Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the election,” parts of the statement read.
