Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 2024 Edo governorship election with 291,667 votes, defeating PDP's Asue Ighodalo and Labour Party's Olumide Akpata. Despite protests over alleged irregularities, INEC declared Okpebholo the winner, marking the APC's return to power in Edo State.
Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared the winner of the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024. Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 22,761 votes.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the result after confirming that Okpebholo met all legal requirements. INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Kuta, announced at 9:27 PM on Sunday, September 22, 2024, to jubilant APC supporters in Benin City.
The APC candidate won in over 10 of the 18 local government areas, leaving Ighodalo with minimal victories. Okpebholo’s alliance with Edo North’s Adams Oshiomhole and his running mate, Dennis Idahosa, played a significant role in securing his victory.
Despite the declaration, the election was marred by protests from PDP supporters, who alleged irregularities. PDP agent Tony Iyoha called for the suspension of the election, citing discrepancies in the results. The PDP Governors' Forum also called on INEC to ensure that the will of the Edo people was respected.
With Okpebholo’s victory, the APC is set to return to power after losing the governorship in 2020. The Edo State governorship election concludes on October 6, 2024, when the new governor will take office.
