Edo Decides: INEC Declares APC Candidate, Monday Okpebholo Winner

Monday Okpebholo

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the September 21, 2024 election.

The off-cycle election had 17 candidates contest for the exalted seat at the Dennis Osadebay House in Benin City, Edo State.

The governorship election was held in 4,519 polling units across the 18 local government areas of Edo State.

Okpebholo had the support of the former governor and lawmaker representing Edo North senatorial district, Adams Oshiomhole.

The electoral process was widely contested by Okpebhole, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP).

Okpebholo won in Esan West, Owan West, Egor, Akoko-Edo, Esan Central, Orhionmwon, Etsako East, Etsako Central, Etsako West, Oredo Local Government Areas.

The APC candidate secured a total of 291,667 votes. His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 247,655 votes.

Olumide Akpata, representing the Labour Party (LP), finished third, receiving a total of 22,763 votes.

Meanwhile, the PDP in Edo has appealed to the Chairman of INEC, Mahmood Yakubu, to review the results collated for the governorship election before the final announcement of the winner of the election.

PDP Chairman in Edo, Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, told newsmen on Sunday in Benin that the entries the electoral officers made were totally different from the actual results uploaded on the INEC IREV at the polling units.

Aziegbemi noted that the results had allegedly been inflated in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) through deducted votes from the PDP.