The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024. Okpebholo secured a total of 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata trailed behind with 22,763 votes.
Okpebholo won in 11 of the state’s 18 local government areas, including key regions like Esan West, Owan West, and Akoko Edo, while Ighodalo claimed victory in six areas, including Ovia North-East and Uhunmwode. Akpata, who was expected to make a stronger showing, lost in all local government areas, including his home council, Oredo.
As the results were announced, Ighodalo and the PDP raised concerns about the election’s integrity, citing multiple irregularities. Speaking during a press conference led by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Ighodalo alleged that there were electoral manipulations by INEC, particularly in polling units within Ikpoba/Okha, where discrepancies between accredited voters and announced results were reported.
Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki had earlier declared the election a “do-or-die” affair for the PDP, urging voters to support Ighodalo and reject leaders he described as uneducated. Despite these claims, INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as the winner stands, as APC celebrates a significant victory in Edo.