The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024.
Okpebholo received 291,667 votes, defeating Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata placed third.
Prof. Faruk Kuta, the INEC Returning Officer, announced the results at the collation center in Benin City, where APC supporters celebrated the outcome.
“That Monday Okpebholo of the APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Kuta stated.
Okpebholo’s victory represents a significant comeback for the APC in Edo State, which lost its hold on power in 2020 when Governor Godwin Obaseki switched allegiance to the PDP.
The APC candidate secured victories in over 10 local government areas, while Ighodalo won in several others.
However, the PDP has vehemently protested the results, alleging irregularities and discrepancies in the vote count.
According to Channel TV, Governor Obaseki attempted to enter the collation center to voice concerns over the exclusion of PDP agents but was escorted out by armed security personnel.
PDP agent Tony Iyoha called for the suspension of the election, citing significant irregularities. Additionally, the state party chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, reported inconsistencies between the figures on the EC8 forms and those on INEC’s IReV platform.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, echoed these concerns, demanding that INEC honor the will of the Edo electorate and ensure their votes are accurately counted. They described the election process as riddled with malpractices.
Political analysts suggest that Okpebholo’s victory can be attributed to strategic alliances with influential figures, including federal lawmaker Dennis Idahosa and Obaseki’s estranged deputy, Philip Shaibu.
This collaboration, along with Okpebholo’s strong influence in his senatorial district, was pivotal in his success against Ighodalo, the favored candidate of the outgoing governor.
As the political landscape in Edo State shifts once more, the controversy surrounding the election is likely to persist, with calls for a thorough investigation into the alleged electoral irregularities.
Okpebholo received 291,667 votes, defeating Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata placed third.
Prof. Faruk Kuta, the INEC Returning Officer, announced the results at the collation center in Benin City, where APC supporters celebrated the outcome.
“That Monday Okpebholo of the APC, having satisfied the requirement of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Kuta stated.
Okpebholo’s victory represents a significant comeback for the APC in Edo State, which lost its hold on power in 2020 when Governor Godwin Obaseki switched allegiance to the PDP.
The APC candidate secured victories in over 10 local government areas, while Ighodalo won in several others.
However, the PDP has vehemently protested the results, alleging irregularities and discrepancies in the vote count.
According to Channel TV, Governor Obaseki attempted to enter the collation center to voice concerns over the exclusion of PDP agents but was escorted out by armed security personnel.
PDP agent Tony Iyoha called for the suspension of the election, citing significant irregularities. Additionally, the state party chairman, Anthony Aziegbemi, reported inconsistencies between the figures on the EC8 forms and those on INEC’s IReV platform.
The PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, echoed these concerns, demanding that INEC honor the will of the Edo electorate and ensure their votes are accurately counted. They described the election process as riddled with malpractices.
Political analysts suggest that Okpebholo’s victory can be attributed to strategic alliances with influential figures, including federal lawmaker Dennis Idahosa and Obaseki’s estranged deputy, Philip Shaibu.
This collaboration, along with Okpebholo’s strong influence in his senatorial district, was pivotal in his success against Ighodalo, the favored candidate of the outgoing governor.
As the political landscape in Edo State shifts once more, the controversy surrounding the election is likely to persist, with calls for a thorough investigation into the alleged electoral irregularities.
