Signs of panic and disappointment are visible within the circles of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, as early results in today’s governorship election reportedly show the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the lead.

APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, lost in his polling Unit 2, Ward 2, in Oredo LGA, his party garnering 69 votes while PDP got 78.

News Express Special Correspondent Nelson Dafe said: “No official figures yet, but I gather from reliable exit polls that the PDP is ahead in some big LGAs and are leading in the popular vote.

“Look, this is a really right race. PDP doing well in some vital LGAs as I hear. Credible reports reaching me says PDP’s Ize Iyamu has convincingly won his LGA of Orhiomwon, which is the most populated LGA in Edo State.

“This is not looking good for Oshiomhole....and of course APC. From what I’m reliably hearing.

Alex Ferguson will call this ‘squeaky bum time’. I can see anxiety in the faces of top APC and PDP officials as at 6:33pm. Normally in previous elections by this time you would see top officials smiling and drinking in the voting centres.”

A panicky Governor Adams Oshiomhole said he received a report that some thugs allegedly snatched ballot boxes at Opoji in Esan North-East Local Government Area during the election.

Oshiomhole also alleged that the suspected snatchers shot sporadically before taking away the ballot boxes.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), however, promptly dismissed the claims. Mr Nick Dazang, INEC Deputy Director of Voter Education and Publicity, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN): “I just called Mr Solomon Soyebi, who is the National Commissioner supervising the election and has denied the allegation of gunshots and ballot box snatching at Opoji in Esan North-East Local Government Area of the state.”

On the reported accident involving a youths corps member serving with INEC, Dazang said he had not heard “any such sad news”, but promised to get back to our Correspondent “if there is anything like that.”

News Express reports that the election is a straight fight between PDP’s Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and APC’s Mr. Godwin Obaseki.

Counting of the ballot continues across the state.

•Photo shows Edo PDP guber candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

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