EDO ELECTION: Okpebholo Defeat Ighodalo With 44,012 Votes

EDO STATE: Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressive Party (APC) was declared winner of the Edo State 2024 governorship election held on Saturday, the 21st of September. The resident commissioner made the declaration at expertly 9.28 pm.  yesterday, sparking celebration across the state.

Okpebholo, polled a total votes of 291,667  to defeat his closest rival , Dr Asue Ighodalo, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who scored 247,655 votes. Okpebholo was higher with 44,012 votes and emerged victorious in Edo’s most competitive governorship election ever.

While the Labour Party, LP, Standard bearer,Barrister Olumide Akpata, came a distant third with 22,763 votes.

Winner of the poll Okpebholo, told Edo people that they had elected the best person for the job and should expect the best from him.

His victory was met with protests from civil society organizations, PDP governors, Governor Obaseki, and the PDP Campaign Council, who pointed to irregularities in the mid-process collation process and demanded the INEC to take the necessary action.

”Shortly after he was declared winner of theelection, Senator Okpebholo stated that Edo State would prosper and that Edo was evolving.

The Edo people have chosen the best candidate for the position,” he declared. A new Edo is emerging. My goal is to grow Edo State and make Edo the better place that it deserves to be.

I would like to inform you that I shall begin where Adams Oshiomhole left us. Edo is going to experience a fresh metamorphosis and, with God’s help, perseverance.

How Okpebholo Defeat Ighodalo In 11 LGA

Governor Obaseki reacted by advising Edo citizens to remain calm in spite of the election results as announced by the electoral commission.

Elections were marred by a disdain for legal structures and procedures, but those who felt wronged were advised to inquire into their legal rights in order to make known their complaints.

“The various political parties have embarked on very rigorous campaigns in the last few months to sell their respective candidates for the office of governor to the people of Edo State. This exercise concluded yesterday with the gubernatorial election,” the statement adds.

The ability for the people to select their own leaders is what makes democracy so appealing to people. Thus, when this authority is overtly taken away from the people, it is not

“But in the midst of this despair, I am urging all my fellow Edo citizens to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property in spite of this provocation.

“Peace and justice will always win in the end and this is my prescription to all the good people of Edo State who feel vexed and violated at this time.

“Clearly, it is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election.

“In a democracy, there are safeguards for addressing grievances, and we hope that those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process.

With this in mind, I implore all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses and rest assured of the commitment of our government to your well-being and security.”

gents and representatives were then ordered to converge on the INEC State Headquarters in Aduwawa, Ikpoba Okha Local Government Area for the completion of the collation exercise. Upon arrival, agents of the PDP were not allowed into INEC State Office for the exercise.

“On the other hand, agents of the APC were allowed unfettered access into the INEC premises to participate in the collation process. This was also in breach of the Electoral Act section on neutrality as well as the rules and regulations published for these elections.

“At about 9pm senior party officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accompanied by the police stormed the Etsako West Local Government collation center and began shooting indiscriminately.

“As a result of the attack, the council Vice Chairman, Benji Ojetu was left in critical condition from a shooting injury. Because of this assault, the expected results from Wards 7 and 11 were not delivered.

“At the INEC state office a 2km-long garrison barricade was created by the Police to cordon-off access, thereby restricting movement in the area.

Fintiri added that if the alleged illegality was allowed to stand, it would be one of the worst elections in the history of democratic governance in Nigeria, alleging that the exercise was characterised by ‘massive vote writing’ and intimidation by security agencies.

Fintiri spoke on behalf of other PDP Governors while addressing journalists at the Edo Gubernatorial Election Situation Room located at the Government House, Benin City.

Governor Fintiri was flanked by the Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki; Governor of Delta State, Sheriff Oborevwori; Taraba State Governor, Kefas Agbu; Edo State PDP governorship candidate, Ighodalo, and the Director General of PDP Campaign Council in the State, Mathew Iduoriyekemwen.

PDP Governors reiterate commitment to democracy

Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum (PDPGF), Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, said this in a pre-official announcement of the Edo State Governorship election results by the INEC.

Mohammed said he and his colleagues had followed with keen interest developments in the Edo governorship election and wished to salute the good people of Edo State, for trooping out in their large numbers, to exercise their legitimate duty to choose the person who would govern the state for the next four years.

He noted that as PDP Governors, they have no doubt that given the laudable achievements of the exiting governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the qualities of the party’s governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the enlightened Edo electorate would have had no difficulty in making the right choice, particularly given the hardship that the APC Administration is spreading nationwide.

The PDP Governors however said, “ As the process runs its course, we wish to remind the Independent National Electoral Commission of the need to live up to the oath of office of the Commission’s principal officers and the expectations of the people, to serve as an impartial umpire committed to deepening our multi party democracy and the survival of our country.

“We stand with our Governors, Fintiri, Diri, Agbu Kefas and Oborevwori of Adamawa, Bayelsa, Taraba and Delta states respectively, on all the actions and positions that they have taken on our behalf, with respect to maintaining the sanctity of the elections.”