How Monday Okpebholo Floored Ighodalo with 44,012 Votes in Edo Governorships Election

Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious in the highly contested Edo State 2024 governorship election, securing 291,667 votes. His closest rival, Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 247,655 votes, trailing by 44,012 votes. The Labour Party’s candidate, Olumide Akpata, came in third with 22,763 Monday Okpebholo’s victory marks a significant electoral achievement amidst a fiercely competitive race that drew attention across the state.

In his victory speech, Monday Okpebholo expressed gratitude to the electorate, proclaiming his election as a mandate for transformative leadership in Edo State. He pledged to build on the foundations laid by previous administrations, particularly highlighting the developmental legacy of former Governor Adams Oshiomhole. Despite challenges during the collation process, Monday Okpebholo affirmed his commitment to addressing concerns raised by opposition parties and civil society organizations.

Electoral Breakdown and Regional Dominance

To secure his win, Senator Monday Okpebholo dominated in 11 out of Edo State’s 18 local government areas (LGAs), including significant victories in Edo North where he amassed 130,684 votes. However, he narrowly lost Edo Central and Edo South to Dr. Asue Ighodalo, reflecting a closely contested electoral landscape across the senatorial districts.

In Edo Central, Ighodalo clinched 54,813 votes against Monday Okpebholo’s 48,895 votes, while in Edo South, Ighodalo secured 115,502 votes compared to Monday Okpebholo’s 112,088 votes. These results underscored the geographical diversity of support and strategic voting patterns that shaped the outcome of the election.

Governor Obaseki’s Response and Calls for Restraint

Governor Godwin Obaseki, reacting to the election results, acknowledged the contentious nature of the electoral process. He lamented what he described as “disregard for processes and rule of law” during the election, echoing concerns raised by opposition parties and observers. Despite these challenges, Governor Obaseki urged residents to maintain peace and pursue legal avenues to address grievances, emphasizing the importance of upholding democratic principles in resolving disputes.

As Edo State prepares for a new era under Senator Monday Okpebholo’s leadership, the aftermath of the election promises to shape political dynamics and governance in the region. The incoming administration faces the dual challenge of addressing electoral controversies while fulfilling campaign promises of transformative governance.

Ganduje Congratulates Monday Okpebholo on Victory

Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended warm congratulations to Senator Monday Okpebholo on his decisive victory in the recent Edo State governorship election. Ganduje highlighted the significance of the victory, describing it as a testament to the growing confidence of Edo citizens in the leadership of President Bola Tinubu’s APC-led administration. He attributed Monday Okpebholo’s triumph to the progressive ideals and development-focused policies embraced by the party at the national and state levels.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje expressed optimism about Edo State’s future under Monday Okpebholo’s leadership. He emphasized that the Senator’s victory signals the beginning of a new era of unprecedented growth, peace, and economic development. Ganduje assured that the APC administration would work tirelessly to ensure that Edo State reaps the full benefits of effective governance, thereby transforming the lives of its citizens.

PDP Campaign Council Alleges Election Irregularities

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has expressed strong objections to the process and outcome of the Edo State governorship election. Governor Umaru Fintiri, Chairman of the National Campaign Council of the PDP for the election, voiced concerns over what he described as a “violent interruption” of the collation process in multiple local government areas, including Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, and Egor. Fintiri alleged that the collation process was unlawfully transferred to the state headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), a move he claimed was orchestrated by an Assistant Inspector General of Police in contravention of the Electoral Act.

Fintiri, alongside other PDP leaders, decried the exclusion of their agents from the INEC premises while APC agents were reportedly granted unfettered access. The PDP accused the ruling APC of orchestrating an attack on the Etsako West collation center, resulting in the shooting of the council Vice Chairman, Benji Ojetu. The party also criticized the creation of a police barricade around the INEC state office, which they argued hindered the transparent collation of results. According to Fintiri, these irregularities threatened to undermine the integrity of the election, and he called for the immediate restoration of the collation process.

PDP Governors Reaffirm Commitment to Democracy Amid Controversy

In the wake of the contentious election results, governors elected under the PDP banner have reiterated their unwavering commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring fair electoral processes. Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors Forum, urged INEC to remain impartial and honor the sovereign will of the people of Edo State. He stressed the importance of a transparent and credible election, particularly in light of Nigeria’s current economic and security challenges.

The PDP governors praised the citizens of Edo for their active participation in the electoral process and emphasized their belief in the qualities of their candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo. They expressed confidence that, if not for the alleged manipulations, Ighodalo would have been declared the rightful winner. The governors warned that any attempt to subvert the will of the people would have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s democratic stability. They called on INEC to respect its constitutional mandate and deliver a result that reflects the true wishes of the electorate.