INEC declares APC’s Okpebholo winner of Edo governorship election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, has been announced as the winner of the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday.

The announcement was made on Sunday night by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Faruk Kuta, at the State Collation Centre in Benin.

Mr Kuta, who is also the vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, declared the results after tallying votes from all 18 local government areas.

Mr Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s (LP) Olumude Akpata placed third with 22,763 votes.

“That Monday Okpebholo of the APC, having satisfied all the requirements of law and scored majority of the lawful votes, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Mr Kuta said during the official announcement.

According to the final tally, Mr Okpebholo won in 11 local government areas, while Ighodalo claimed victory in seven. Labour Party’s candidate, Akpata, did not win in any local government area.

Prior to the final declaration, Mr Okpebholo had established a lead of over 48,000 votes after 16 local government areas were counted. Barring any legal challenge, he is expected to take over from the outgoing governor, Godwin Obaseki, when his term concludes on November 12.

The PDP, however, has raised objections to the outcome, accusing the election process of being manipulated in favour of the APC.

Tony Iyoha, the PDP state agent, said that the results did not reflect the actual votes cast at the polling stations and called for a halt to the collation process. In response, Kuta advised any parties with grievances to submit a formal complaint for review.