Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
As the Edo 2024 governorship election approaches on September 21st, economic hardship and discontent with national issues are shaping voter sentiment.
Rising fuel prices, inflation, poverty, and food scarcity—problems many attribute to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the federal level—are driving the electoral narrative.
Ongoing campaigns in Edo State are dominated by discussions of hardship, unemployment, and poor infrastructure, with the crumbling federal road from Auchi to Benin City symbolizing the perceived neglect by the APC-led federal government. These national issues, coupled with criticisms of Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate, are likely to influence voter behavior as many Edo residents express their dissatisfaction with the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In Benin City and across Edo Central, the soaring cost of living and scarcity of essentials have left residents questioning the competence of the APC. With the party’s candidate facing criticism for his unclear policy positions and perceived lack of literacy, analysts suggest that the campaign is struggling to gain momentum.
With frustrations at an all-time high, the election could serve as a referendum on the APC’s governance as Edo voters seek change amidst a climate of uncertainty.