Incumbent governors of Delta and Rivers states, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and Barr. Nyesom Wike respectively have taken to early lead as votes are tallied at different polling units in their states. Also leading by a wide margin is the APC governorship candidate in Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu who not only won his polling unit but also trounced his closest rival, PDP’s Jimmy Agbaje in his polling unit.

Tallied results across Delta State suggest a clear victory for Okowa who ahead of the election expressed confidence that he would come out victorious.

Governor Okowa adorning white long sleeve shirt, white trouser, white fez cap and black shoes was accompanied to the voting centre by his wife, Dame Edith and his children who voted in different polling units in Ward 2, Omi Primary School, Owa-Alero, Ika North-East local government area of Delta State.

The governor in a chat with news men shortly after casting his vote at Unit 3 at exactly 8.40 am, stated, “by the grace of God, I will emerge victorious; I have partnered with Deltans, I have worked with them, and by God’s grace, a lot of them will vote for me.

“The only thing we are doing is to ensure that those who planned to use thugs to disrupt the elections will be handled by the security agencies because, aside plans to disrupt the elections, it would be a no contest situation,” Governor Okowa who was beaming with a confident smile said.

He continued, “so far, the electoral process is peaceful, and we pray to God that it remains peaceful; people are coming out in their large numbers to cast their votes, a lot of votes have been cast already despite the fact that it is still very early in the day; we hope that the voting process remains peaceful across the state.”

In Rivers State, aside skirmishes in some areas, voting was peaceful especially in Port Harcourt metropolis. Tallied votes showed Wike in clear lead in most of the polling units.

In Lagos, Sanwo-Olu, delivered his Polling Unit for his party, saying he is expecting to be victorious when the overall results of the elections are officially announced.

APC polled a total of 124 votes, while the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 26 votes at the  Unit 019, Lateef Jakande Avenue/Femi Okunnu in Ikoyi II.

Sanwo-Olu, who arrived at his Polling Unit in company with his wife, Dr. Ibijoke at 10:33am, described the process as “generally peaceful”, despite pockets of delays recorded in some parts of the state.

‘’I think the whole process has been generally peaceful. Reports coming in from our party agents from across the State show that all is going on well save some areas where they are experiencing minor delays.’’

Speaking to reporters after he voted, Sanwo-Olu said he was confident of victory, having traversed the length and breadth of the state during the campaign and felt the pulse of the voters.

He said: “Exactly six months ago today, I picked the APC gubernatorial nomination form to contest in this election. I have done a thorough campaign. I went to every nook and cranny of the state to meet voters and stakeholders. I listened to everybody and heard their concerns. Given all of these, it means that we are better prepared to earn the confidence of Lagosians. So, I am confident of victory at the end of this process.”

His running mate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, also won his polling unit in Epe with a landslide.

His party scored 198 votes  to defeat the  PDP which scored 33 votes.