Edo 2024: Poll Shows PDP’s Ighodalo Leading Ahead of Gubernatorial Race

As the Edo State gubernatorial election approaches, a recent poll conducted by the African Polling Institute (API) indicates that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, is currently leading his main competitors. With just under a month to the election, Ighodalo holds a significant lead over All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Monday Okpebholo and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata.

According to the poll, Ighodalo is favored by 43% of the respondents, while Okpebholo has the support of 20%, and Akpata follows with 9%. However, a substantial 28% of the 2,678 respondents remain undecided, highlighting the potential for shifts in voter sentiment as the election date nears.

The poll, conducted by API, involved random telephone interviews with a representative sample of voters across Edo State’s 18 local government areas. The respondents were nearly evenly split by gender, with 51% male and 49% female, and most were between the ages of 35 and 60.

Key factors influencing voters’ decisions include candidate competence, personality, experience, political affiliation, and policy stance. Among Ighodalo’s supporters, 30% cited his capacity and qualifications as their primary reasons, while Okpebholo’s supporters emphasized his political party affiliation and local ties. Akpata’s backing is strongly linked to his association with the Labour Party and his youthful appeal.

Despite Ighodalo’s lead, the poll’s sample size is relatively small when compared to the 2.6 million registered voters in Edo State, representing just 0.10% of the electorate. As such, while the poll offers insights into current voter preferences, it may not fully capture the broader electoral landscape.