The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally conferred the certificate of return upon Monday Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), subsequent to his triumph in the Edo State governorship election.
This presentation occurred on Thursday at the INEC headquarters situated in Abuja, thereby affirming Okpebholo as the legitimately elected governor.
Okpebholo emerged victorious in the election conducted on September 21, amassing a total of 291,667 votes, thereby surpassing his nearest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) concluded in third place with 22,763 votes.
In this electoral contest, Okpebholo’s APC party achieved considerable success, securing victories in more than 10 of the 18 local government areas, while the PDP managed to attain narrow victories in the remaining councils.
It is noteworthy that the APC prevailed in two of the three pivotal senatorial districts within the state, signifying a substantial transformation in the political dynamics of Edo.
Concurrently, the PDP has repudiated the results of the recent Edo State Governorship election as proclaimed by the INEC.
During a press conference held in Abuja on Monday, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Amb. Umar Damagum, articulated his party’s discontent with the outcome, contending that the electorate of Edo State justly cast their votes for the PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and anticipate his declaration as the governor-elect.
