The African Polling Institute (API) has revealed that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo is ahead of his two closest opponents, Mr. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).
The opinion poll was administered between August 12th and 16th, 2024 and it involved telephone interviews of a random nationwide sample.
It added that 2,687 randomly selected phone-owning Nigerians aged 18 years plus, representing the 18 Local Government Areas in Edo State, were interviewed.
The Executive Director of API, Professor Bell Ihua in a statement issued Wednesday added that the poll also showed that there is a significant proportion of undecided voters.
He stressed that the sample consisted of 2,687 voters across 18 LGAs – Etsako Central (94), Etsako East (98), Etsako West (157), Owan East (145), Akoko Edo (211), Owan West (83), Esan North East (87), Esan South East (118), Igueben (62), Esan Central (137), Esan West (155), Egor (279), Ikpoba-Okha (306), Oredo (302), Orhionmwon (131), Ovia North East (108), Ovia South West (123), and Uhunmonde (90).
He noted that the state-wide poll, conducted between August 12th and 16th, 2024 was aimed at capturing the perceptions and attitudes of Edo State Citizens, Residents, and Voters on the forthcoming Gubernatorial Elections in the state.
Ihua stressed that the poll Ighodalo with 43 per cent was currently in a strong position, maintaining a 23-point lead over his closest opponent, Okpebholo with 20 per cent, while Akpata with 9 per cent trails from a distance.
He added: “However, a significant proportion of undecided voters, 28 per cent, may be able to swing the votes in favour of any of the two leading candidates.
“In addition, 94 per cent of respondents were registered in Edo State and had collected their Permanent Voters’ Cards (PVCs), while 83 per cent had given some thought to the Edo 2024 Governorship Election.
“In terms of election integrity, 47 per cent of respondents are not at all confident in INEC’s ability to conduct a free, fair, and credible election, while 34 per cent have some confidence and 19 per cent have complete confidence in INEC.
The poll further showed that 80 per cent of respondents said they feeel safe going out to vote on election day.
Ihua noted: “Respondents were also asked which political party stood the best chance of winning the Edo 2024 Governorship Election. From the response, 42 per cent thought that PDP stands the best chance of winning, followed by 22 per cent who mentioned APC and 6 per cent who favoured LP.”