Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, securing 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,655 votes. Labour Party’s (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, placed third with 22,763 votes.
Okpebholo’s win sparked celebrations across the state, despite concerns raised by PDP and civil society organizations regarding irregularities in the collation process. Edo Governor Godwin Obaseki and PDP campaign officials criticized the election, citing disruptions in collation, particularly in Edo South, where collation centers were reportedly moved to the INEC headquarters under questionable circumstances.
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In his victory speech, Okpebholo assured Edo residents of his commitment to development, pledging to continue where former Governor Adams Oshiomhole left off. He emphasized that a "new Edo" was rising and promised a transformative leadership.
The PDP, led by Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa, expressed dissatisfaction with the process, alleging that results were manipulated in favor of the APC. Fintiri and other PDP governors accused security agencies of intimidation and called for legal actions to challenge the election results.
Despite the controversies, President Bola Tinubu and APC leaders, including Senator Adams Oshiomhole, congratulated Okpebholo on his win, hailing it as a victory for progressive ideals and the will of the people. Tinubu encouraged the governor-elect to unite the state and urged any aggrieved parties to seek redress through legal channels.
