The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Senator Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the 2024 Edo State governorship election.
Okpebholo secured the governorship after garnering 291,667 votes across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in a hotly contested race. His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), polled 247,274 votes. Having satisfied the constitutional requirements, Okpebholo was declared the winner by INEC.
In total, Okpebholo won 11 out of the 18 LGAs, while Ighodalo claimed the remaining seven. This decisive victory solidified Okpebholo’s position as Edo’s next governor, following the election held on September 21, 2024.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, finished in third place with significantly fewer votes.
With this result, Okpebholo will succeed outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, whose two-term tenure ends on November 12, 2024.
The election saw 2,629,025 registered voters, with 2,249,780 possessing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and 4,519 polling units set up across the state. Despite these numbers, voter turnout remained a concern, with election observer group Yiaga Africa raising alarms over low participation rates, particularly among the youth, as well as reports of vote-buying in some areas.
Senator Okpebholo, born on August 29, 1970, is a prominent businessman and politician who currently represents Edo Central Senatorial District, a position he assumed in 2023. His victory strengthens his political clout within the APC and sets the stage for his governorship.
The election is part of Nigeria’s off-cycle governorship elections, which are held in states where previous litigation and court judgments adjusted the electoral timelines. These states include Edo, Anambra, Bayelsa, Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Osun, and Ondo.
Despite some concerns about the election process, Okpebholo’s win marks a significant shift in Edo’s political landscape. As he prepares to assume office, the incoming governor faces the challenge of uniting the state’s diverse political and ethnic interests while delivering on his campaign promises and driving development across the state.
