INEC declares APCs Monday Okpebholo winner of the Edo governorship election

Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress has been declared the winner of the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Prof. Faruk Kuta, the Independent National Electoral Commission’s Returning Officer and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, announced Okpebholo’s victory on Sunday.

Okpebholo, 54, secured 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes.

Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, finished third with 22,761 votes, while fourteen other candidates got low votes.

Kuta, said, “That Okpebholo Monday of the APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” at exactly 09.27pm.

The APC candidate dominated in over 11 of the 18 local government areas, while the PDP managed narrow victories in the remaining seven councils.

The APC also secured control in two of the state’s three senatorial districts.

Okpebholo’s win was bolstered by strong backing from influential political figures, including Adams Oshiomhole, his National Assembly colleague from Edo North, and his running mate, federal lawmaker Dennis Idahosa.

The alliance also included Obaseki’s estranged deputy, Philip Shaibu, which further consolidated Okpebholo’s support base.

The victory marks the APC’s return to power at the Dennis Osadebe Government House, following the defection of the incumbent governor, Godwin Obaseki, to the PDP in 2020.

Obaseki’s fallout with Oshiomhole led him to switch parties and secure a second term under the PDP, which will end on November 12, 2024.