By Chesa Chesa and Myke Uzendu
The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Monday Okpebholo, has been declared winner of Saturday, September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) through the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta who is the Vice-Chancellor, the Federal University of Technology, Minna, made the declaration in Benin City, Sunday night.
He said Okpebholo polled a total of 291, 667 votes to defeat his arch rival and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, who polled 247, 274 votes.
The governorship candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Olumide Akpata (SAN), came third, polling a total of 22,761 votes.
The APC won in 11 Local Government Areas out of 18, while the PDP won in seven (7) and LP did not secure win in any of the councils.
PDP Govs insist their party won
Before the official declaration of the winner by INEC, governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Sunday threw their weight behind the result earlier announced by the Adamawa State governor, Umari Fintri on the Edo State governorship election, as against what was announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement signed by the Chairman of PDP Governors Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Bala Mohammed, the governors commended the people of Edo State, the cradle of a proud Benin kingdom, 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.
“We note with immense pride and satisfaction, the role being played by the PDP Governors, His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, His Excellency Governor Duoye Diri of Bayelsa State, His Excellency Governor Dr. Agbu Kefas of Taraba State and His Excellency, the Rt. Hon. Sherif Francis Oborevwori, Governor of Delta State who have painstakingly monitored the exercise in accordance with the law and guided the electorate to remain calm and law abiding throughout the entire process.
“We are satisfied that our colleagues as led by His Excellency Governor Ahmadu Fintiri simply stated the results of a few local government areas as were already collated and captured on the INEC IREV portal, with a view to forestalling any manipulation by unscrupulous elements and, ultimately, averting a situation that could throw the exercise into disrepute and the nation into political jeopardy.
“Therefore, the public is advised to disregard the mischievous accusation by the APC that anyone usurped INEC’s responsibility, let alone distinguished Nigerians who are governors in their respective states”, the Govs stated.
Tinubu hails Okpebholo
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in Saturday’s Edo State governorship election, on his victory at the polls.
Senator Okpebholo was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, having defeated other contenders for the position with a total tally of 291, 667 votes.
A presidency statement on Sunday night commended APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory.
He said the victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
He urged Senator Okpebholo not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service even as he encouraged him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.
The statement further stated that “President Tinubu also praises other candidates who participated in the election for their contributions to advancing Nigeria’s democracy, saying peaceful political contests, such as the one on Saturday, portray Nigeria as a stable democracy.
“The President urges all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels.
“In addition, the president commends the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.
“I commend the INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful and largely hitch-free exercise.
“INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country”, President Tinubu said in the statement issued by presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
Also, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo who was announced on Sunday as the winner of the Edo State Governorship election.
Ganduje in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Edwin Olofu, said the triumph is a testament to the confidence the good people of Edo State have in the progressive vision and leadership of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led APC administration.
The National Chairman Ganduje conveyed the party’s warmest felicitations to Okpebholo.
He asserted that his victory “reflects the trust and hope placed in his leadership, as well as the hard work and resilience of other party members and supporters who ensured a free, fair, and peaceful election”.
According to Olofu, Ganduje expressed confidence that with Senator Okpebholo’s leadership, Edo State is poised to witness unprecedented growth, peace, and development that will transform the lives of its citizens.
He promised that Okpebholo will continue to uphold the values of good governance, transparency, and service to the people which have been the bedrock of the APC’s vision for Nigeria.
He further stated that APC remains committed to supporting his administration and working together to ensure that the vision of a greater Edo State is achieved for the benefit of all.
Ganduje thanked President Bola Tinubu and the Progressive Governors Forum for their immense support, stating that the victory is for all the people of Edo, and we look forward to a prosperous new chapter for the state.
Below are the results from all the 18 Local Government Areas in Edo State as announced by INEC:
LGA: Ikpoba-Okha
APC – 16,338
LP – 4,026
PDP 26,382
LGA: OREDO
APC- 30,780
LP- 5389
PDP – 24,938
LGA: IGUEBEN
APC- 5907
PDP – 8470
LP- 494
LGA: ESAN WEST
APC – 12952
LP – 342
PDP – 11004
LGA: OWAN WEST
APC – 12277
LP – 201
PDP – 11284
LGA: UHUNMUNDE
APC- 8776
LP- 769
PDP – 9339
LGA: OVIA NORTH EAST
APC- 13225
LP- 1675
PDP – 15311
LGA: ESAN SOUTH-EAST
APC- 8,398
LP- 98
PDP – 14,199
LGA: EGOR
APC- 16,760
LP- 1,966
PDP – 14,658
LGA: AKOKO EDO
APC- 34,847
LP- 2,239
PDP – 15,865
LGA: ESAN CENTRAL
APC- 10,990
LP- 418
PDP – 8,618
LGA: ESAN NORTH-EAST
APC- 10648
LP- 194
PDP – 12,522
LGA: OVIA SOUTHWEST
APC- 10,150
LP- 849
PDP – 10,260
LGA: ORHIONMWON
APC- 16,059
LP- 556
PDP – 14,614
LGA: OWAN EAST
APC – 19,380
LP – 446
PDP – 14,189
LGA: ETSAKO EAST
APC- 20,167
LP- 604
PDP – 9,686
LGA: ETSAKO CENTRAL
APC- 11,906
LP- 381
PDP – 8,455
LGA: ETSAKO WEST
APC- 32107
LP- 2116
PDP – 17483
