The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024. Okpebholo won with 291,667 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,274 votes, and Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who received 22,763 votes.
INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof Faruk Kuta, announced the results amidst cheers from APC supporters, noting that Okpebholo had satisfied all legal requirements. Okpebholo’s victory is attributed to a strong alliance with key political figures like Adams Oshiomhole and Dennis Idahosa.
However, the PDP has raised concerns about electoral irregularities, with protests occurring outside the collation center. Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, and the PDP Governors’ Forum have also challenged the results, citing discrepancies in the vote count.
Despite protests and allegations of vote buying, Okpebholo’s victory marks the APC’s return to power in Edo State after losing it to Obaseki in 2020. The governorship election was one of several off-season elections across Nigeria.
Observers from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room (NCSSR) noted instances of vote-buying at polling units, with prices ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦10,000 per vote. Despite these issues, INEC maintained that the election results were valid.
