• President congratulates Okpebholo, commends Edo voters
• PDP claims victory, warns APC, INEC against tampering with election results
'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
Jane Otu, South South
DAILY COURIER – The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has been declared the winner of the Edo State Governorship election, securing a total of 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,234 votes. Okpebholo’s victory was confirmed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), giving him a 44,433-vote lead over Ighodalo.
The election, held on Saturday, saw fierce competition across Edo’s 18 local government areas, with Okpebholo performing strongly in key regions such as Akoko Edo, where he secured 34,847 votes, and Etsako West, where he amassed 32,107 votes. Dr. Ighodalo, though competitive in areas like Ikpoba Okha and Esan South East, could not overcome Okpebholo’s lead in other local government areas.
President Tinubu Congratulates Okpebholo and Commends Edo Voters
Following the announcement of the results, President Bola Tinubu welcomed the APC’s victory in Edo, commending the people of the state for their peaceful conduct during the election. In a statement released by the State House, President Tinubu congratulated Okpebholo, urging him to see his victory as a call to service rather than an opportunity to gloat.
"Senator Okpebholo's victory is a testament to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians," President Tinubu said. He praised the national and state leaders of the APC for their hard work in securing the win and encouraged Okpebholo to unite the people of Edo State and work towards its development.
The President also expressed appreciation for the efforts of other candidates who participated in the election, saying their involvement contributed to the advancement of Nigeria’s democracy. He advised any aggrieved parties to seek legal redress rather than resorting to disruptive actions.
Tinubu’s Praise for INEC and Security Agencies
President Tinubu highlighted the peaceful and orderly nature of the election, describing it as a positive indicator of Nigeria’s maturing democracy. "I commend INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful, and largely hitch-free exercise," he noted. He lauded INEC’s role in ensuring a free and fair election, underscoring its commitment to upholding the democratic process.
Local Government Results Breakdown
The official results from INEC showed that Okpebholo's APC outperformed the PDP in critical areas, particularly in Edo North. Some key results include:
- **Akoko Edo LGA:** APC – 34,847, PDP – 15,865
- **Etsako West LGA:** APC – 32,107, PDP – 17,483
- **Oredo LGA:** APC – 30,780, PDP – 24,938
- **Orhionmwon LGA:** APC – 16,059, PDP – 14,614
- **Igueben LGA:** APC – 5,907, PDP – 8,470
In Esanland, a traditional PDP stronghold, the APC made inroads, particularly in Esan Central, where Okpebholo secured 10,990 votes to PDP’s 8,618. However, the PDP retained control in areas like Ikpoba Okha, where Ighodalo won with 26,382 votes compared to APC's 16,338.
Okpebholo’s Victory Speech and Post-Election Expectations
In his victory speech, Senator Okpebholo thanked the people of Edo for their support and promised to prioritize economic development, security, and good governance. He extended an olive branch to his political rivals, promising to work for the good of all Edo citizens. "This victory is for the people of Edo State, and I assure you that I will work tirelessly to justify the trust you have placed in me," Okpebholo said.
The battle for votes was particularly fierce in Esanland, a PDP stronghold. In Esan South East, the PDP secured a significant lead with 14,199 votes to APC's 8,398. Similarly, in Esan North East, the PDP won with 12,522 votes, compared to APC’s 10,648. However, the APC made inroads in Esan Central, securing 10,990 votes against PDP’s 8,618, which helped tip the scales in Okpebholo’s favor.
### **APC's Stronghold in Edo North**
APC’s dominance in Edo North was a key factor in Okpebholo's victory. In areas like Etsako West, Etsako East, and Akoko Edo, the APC recorded overwhelming victories, giving Okpebholo a substantial lead over his PDP rival.
PDP’s Struggles
Despite a spirited campaign, the PDP was unable to maintain the momentum it had in previous elections. While Ighodalo performed well in a number of local government areas, the overall voter turnout in APC strongholds heavily favored Okpebholo, making it difficult for the PDP to close the gap.
In a strongly worded statement, the PDP warned the APC and INEC against announcing any manipulated results that do not reflect the actual votes cast at polling units, describing such an action as a recipe for crisis. The party vowed to resist any attempt to subvert the will of the people, insisting that the residents of Edo State would not allow their democratic mandate to be stolen.
The PDP also drew attention to the controversial incident in Adamawa State during the 2023 Governorship election, where an attempt by a former INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Hudu Ari, to alter the election results sparked widespread protests and nearly resulted in the deaths of INEC officials. The party warned that any similar attempt to manipulate the Edo election results could lead to even worse consequences.
In conclusion, the PDP called on INEC to act responsibly and ensure that the official results align with the will of the people as expressed in their votes. The party emphasized that any failure to do so could threaten the peace and stability of Edo State and undermine the democratic process in Nigeria.
The statement was signed by the PDP's National Publicity Secretary, Hon. Debo Ologunagba.
As the tension mounts, all eyes are now on INEC and the official declaration of results, which could determine the next steps for both parties and the people of Edo State.
INEC and Reactions
Following the announcement of the results, INEC praised the peaceful conduct of the election and urged all parties to respect the outcome. Meanwhile, supporters of Okpebholo celebrated across the state, with chants of "Edo is now Lagos," a reference to the APC’s stronghold in Nigeria's commercial hub, Lagos.
In his victory speech, Okpebholo thanked the people of Edo for their support and promised to fulfill his campaign promises, focusing on economic development, security, and improved governance. "This victory is for the people of Edo State, and I assure you that I will work tirelessly to justify the trust you have placed in me," he said.
With Okpebholo’s win, the APC has now solidified its grip on Edo State, shifting the political landscape in a region traditionally known for its competitiveness between parties.
As President Tinubu noted, the peaceful nature of the election sets a positive tone for future contests, reinforcing the stability and progress of Nigeria’s democracy.