The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced the winner of the Edo state governorship election conducted on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
News About Nigeria reports that Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the Edo governorship election.
Faruk Adamu Kuta, returning officer for the state, made the declaration of election results publicly on Sunday evening at the INEC collation office in Benin.
“That Okpebholo, having satisfied the requirement of the law is thereby declared the winner and returned elected,” Kuta, who is the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Minna, said.
The Edo state has a total of 18 Local Government Areas, divided into Edo North, Edo South and Edo Central.
Traditionally, Edo North has always been the stronghold of the APC, while the PDP has always shown strength in Edo Central and Edo South.
The APC candidate won 11 LGAs while the ruling party secured victory in 7 LGAs.
Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes while Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who secured 247,274 votes
Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) placed a distant third with 22,763 votes.
The election, which took place on Saturday, September 21, has been characterised by mixed reactions and a slew of allegations.
Both PDP and Labour Party (LP) candidates have raised concerns about the transparency of the process, with accusations of electoral malpractices. The PDP has particularly accused the APC of orchestrating vote manipulation, claiming that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manufactured votes for the APC in some key areas with the help of security agents.
