The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the highly competitive Edo State governorship election.
Okpebholo secured a total of 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) trailed in third place with 22,761 votes.
The announcement was made by the INEC Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Kuta, at 9:27 pm on Sunday, September 22, 2024. Prof. Kuta declared:
“Okpebholo Monday of APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”
The APC celebrated their victory at the collation center in Benin City, the capital of Edo State. Okpebholo claimed victory in over 10 of the state’s 18 local government areas, with the PDP securing only marginal wins in the remaining councils.
The APC’s dominance extended to two of the state’s three battleground senatorial districts, particularly Edo North, where notable figures such as former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu hail from. Okpebholo, a sitting Senator, joined forces with Oshiomhole to secure his victory against Ighodalo, the favored candidate of outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki.
The results follow a closely watched and contested election, with INEC taking several recesses during the collation process. Okpebholo’s win signals a major triumph for the APC as they continue to solidify their influence in the state.