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Senator Monday Okpebholo has received his Certificate of Return as the Governor of Edo State from INEC, following a contested election where he secured 291,667 votes. Despite his victory, opposition from Governor Godwin Obaseki and other candidates continues, creating a tense political atmosphere in the state.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally presented Certificates of Return to Senator Monday Okpebholo, the newly elected Governor of Edo State, and his deputy, Hon. Dennis Idahosa. The event was held on Thursday at the INEC headquarters and was attended by prominent figures, including Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), along with various members of the party's National Working Committee.

Notable attendees also included the reinstated Deputy Governor, Comrade Philip Shaibu, and Senators Matthew Uroghide, Cecil Esekhaigbe (retd), and Francis Alimikhena. The certificates were handed over by Prof. Rhoda Gumus, the National Commissioner responsible for Edo State, representing INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Following the gubernatorial elections, INEC declared Okpebholo as the winner, having garnered 291,667 votes. He defeated Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,274 votes, while Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party (LP) received 22,763 votes.

Despite INEC's announcement, incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki, along with candidates from the PDP and LP, have contested the results, leading to increased tensions over the election. As Okpebholo and his administration prepare to take office, the political landscape in Edo State is fraught with uncertainty and contention regarding the legitimacy of the electoral process.