APC Returns To Power In Edo State As INEC Declares Okpebholo Governor-elect Amid Controversy

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner of the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024.

Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who came third.

INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Kuta, announced the results at the collation center in Benin City, amidst cheers from APC supporters.

“That Monday Okpebholo of the APC having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and returned elected,” INEC’s Returning Officer for the poll, Prof Faruk Kuta, said.

The APC candidate won in over 10 local government areas, while the PDP candidate secured marginal victories in other areas.

Okpebholo’s victory marks a return to power for the APC in Edo State, which lost control in 2020 when Governor Godwin Obaseki defected to the PDP.

However, the PDP has protested the results, citing irregularities and discrepancies in the figures.

According to Channel TV, Governor Obaseki had earlier stormed the collation centre to protest the exclusion of PDP agents from the venue but was escorted out of the premises by armed security agents.

At the collation centre, PDP agent, Tony Iyoha, called for the suspension of the entire election over alleged irregularities.

Similarly, the party’s chairman in the state, Anthony Aziegbemi, explained that the discrepancies between figures on the EC8 form don’t tally with that on INEC’s IReV platform.

The PDP Governors’ Forum also asked the electoral umpire to respect the will of the people of Edo State and let their votes count. The Forum alleged that the exercise was fraught with electoral malpractices.

The PDP governors led to Edo by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, faulted some of the results announced, saying they don’t tally with those on IReV.

Political pundits say APC gained control in two of the three battleground senatorial districts in the state.

“Okpebholo, the Edo Central Senator, leveraged significant influence in his senatorial district, and joined forces with his colleague in the National Assembly from Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, to defeat Ighodalo, the anointed candidate of the outgoing governor.

“Okpebholo’s victory could also be attributed to his alliance Dennis Idahosa, his running mate who is a federal lawmaker; and Obaseki’s estranged deputy, Philip Shaibu”.