The winner of Edo State Saturday’s poll, Monday Okpebholo, of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has been handed a certificate of return by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The ceremony took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Thursday. Recall that Okpebholo was declared the winner of the poll after he gathered 291,667 votes to beat his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 247,274 votes.
The APC candidate cleared over 10 of the 18 local government areas, leaving the PDP candidate with marginal victory in the other local councils.
Recall that after an internal party dispute and fallout with his predecessor, Oshiomhole, Godwin Obaseki left the APC in 2020 to join the PDP, where he secured a ticket to defeat APC candidate Osagie Ize-Iyamu and win a second term that will expire on November 12, 2024.
Okpebholo’s victory has brought back the APC to power, during the election, the incumbent Governor Obaseki had campaigned strongly for his anointed candidate, Ighodalo, while Oshiomhole stood by Okpebholo, attending rallies and interviews on behalf of the APC candidate.
The governor elect will be working together with Dennis Idahosa to deliver their mandate to the people of Edo state.
