The final list of candidates for the forthcoming governorship election in Edo State was released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday. Out of the 17 candidates listed, 16 are male, while one is female. Campaigns for the election are set to commence on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, leading up to the September 21, 2024, election date. INEC had previously published the personal details of the governorship candidates and their running mates after the initial primaries.
INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, announced that some political parties conducted new primaries to substitute their earlier selected candidates before the April 15, 2024, deadline. Olumekun emphasized the commission’s satisfaction with the publication of the final list of candidates and highlighted the breakdown by gender, age, academic qualifications, and disability. The list is available at INEC offices in Edo State and online.
Olumekun also declared the commencement of electioneering campaigns on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022. He reminded all parties to conduct their campaigns with civility and adherence to the law, emphasizing the provisions outlined in Sections 92-97 of the Electoral Act 2022, which prohibit inciting language, violence, and voter inducement.
The governorship candidates and their running mates from various political parties include Accord (Iyere Kennedy and Enabulele Bright), Action Alliance (Iseghohi Tom and Onaiwu Nmwen), African Action Congress (Udoh David and Osunde Osas), African Democratic Congress (Izedonmwen Derek and Osagie Philip), Action Democratic Party (Akhimie Kingson and Obazee Ramatu), among others. Each party is urged to adhere to the guidelines set forth by INEC during their campaign activities.
