The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has emerged victorious in the highly anticipated Edo State governorship election, defeating his closest rival, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
According to the final results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to secure the governorship seat. Ighodalo of the PDP followed closely with 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, came in a distant third.
The victory marks a significant win for the APC, as Okpebholo will succeed the sitting governor, Godwin Obaseki of the PDP, whose tenure ends on November 21, 2024.
Governor Obaseki is expected to hand over to the newly elected governor at the expiration of his term.
In a tightly contested election, both Okpebholo and Ighodalo campaigned vigorously across the state, with key battlegrounds in local government areas like Oredo, Ikpoba Okha, and Egor, where voter turnout was substantial.
Despite the strong showing from the PDP, Okpebholo’s widespread appeal across rural and urban areas secured him the win.
Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party candidate and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), trailed behind with a minimal share of the votes, reflecting the dominance of the APC and PDP in the state.
The Edo governorship election was conducted peacefully, with INEC commending voters for their participation and cooperation.
With the APC reclaiming the governorship seat in Edo, the political landscape of the state shifts once more, as Governor-elect Okpebholo prepares to take office.
His win also marks a boost for the APC in the South-South region.
