In a dramatic turn of events, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially crowned Senator Monday Okpebholo as the Governor-elect of Edo State, igniting jubilation among supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following a hard-fought electoral battle. The Certificates of Return were presented on Thursday at the INEC headquarters in Abuja by Rhoda Gumus, the national commissioner representing Edo State.
The ceremony drew significant attention, attended by influential figures including Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the APC, and key members of the party's National Working Committee. The gathering also welcomed notable Edo politicians such as the reinstated Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and Senators Matthew Uroghide and Francis Alimikhena, among others.
This electoral victory is particularly sweet for the APC, which faced a challenging political landscape after losing control of the state to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Following the election results announced on Sunday, Okpebholo emerged victorious with an impressive 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes.
Ganduje expressed the relief and excitement felt by party loyalists, stating, “This was an APC state, but we lost it. The previous administration seemed to abandon its people, but now we have reclaimed Edo for the APC, and we commend INEC for conducting a free and fair election.” His words resonated with a party eager to restore its influence in a state that had slipped from its grasp.
Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole also took the podium, emphasizing the new administration’s commitment to respecting the state’s traditions and prioritizing education. “Edo people are relieved. They had suffered under a governor who disregarded their needs and brutalized them,” he remarked. “Now, we have a humble and focused governor who values our traditional institutions and understands the significance of education.”
However, the excitement from the APC’s camp is met with turbulence as the PDP and the Labour Party (LP) have outrightly rejected the election results. The political landscape in Edo is now rife with tension as the opposition prepares to challenge the legitimacy of the outcome, alleging discrepancies in the electoral process.
As the dust settles, all eyes are on the incoming administration and its ability to deliver on promises of reform and stability in a state eager for progress. With a new governor at the helm, the future of Edo State hangs in the balance, as political rivalries intensify and the call for accountability grows louder. Will Okpebholo rise to the occasion, or will the whispers of discontent reignite the flames of opposition? Only time will tell as this political saga unfolds.
