The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collation centre for the Edo State governorship election has embarked on a recess after announcing results from 16 local government areas.

The Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, who is also the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, called for the recess around 2:19pm.

According to Prof Kuta, this is to allow for the arrival of results in two more local government areas.

He said the centre will reconvene at 5pm to call results from the remaining 2 LGAs and possibly announce the winner of the Saturday election.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Monday Okpebholo, is maintaining lead in the results declared so far and closely followed by Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Out of the 16 local government areas declared, APC is leading in 10 while PDP is leading in 6 local government areas. He has 244, 549 votes as against Ighodalo?s 195, 954.

Meanwhile, just as collation of results was ongoing, PDP supporters stormed INEC headquarters in Benin City to protest against the results.

The crowd, many of whom were with PDP flags and branches of leaves were seen singing and marching towards the INEC headquarters.

17 parties participated in the election with the aim taking over the reins of leadership from incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki whose tenure ends in November.