Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Senator Monday Okpebholo, candidate of the All-Progressive Congress (APC) as the winner of Saturday’s closely fought governorship election in the mid-west state of Edo.
On Sunday night, the Commission’s returning officer Prof Adamu Kuta announced in Benin City the state capital, that Okpebholo, 54 polled 291,647 votes to emerge the winner. His closest rival Dr Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) received 247,274 votes to place second, while the Labour Party’s Barrister Olumide Akpata got 22,763 votes to finish third.
The candidates of the remaining 14 candidates got a combined vote of less than 10,000.
There was palpable tension before the announcement of the results with PDP supporters protesting the electoral process as fraudulent during the day, amid heavy police presence, especially in Benin City.
The PDP was the ruling party in Edo state before the election, and the outcome is considered a political blow to outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, who has been embroiled in a prolonged battle with his former political godfather and ex-governor of the state Adams Oshiomhole.
In a state broadcast, Governor Obaseki condemned the electoral process as “a travesty,” characterised by “blatant disregard” of laid down procedures.
He, however, appealed for calm and urged aggrieved persons to seek legal redress.
Before the announcement of the result, PDP officials had also addressed the media and threatened to challenge the electoral process because of alleged irregularities.
They alleged that PDP agents were denied access to some collation centres and accused INEC and the police of violating the electoral law by changing the venue for the collation of results of some wards.
APC’s celebration of the INEC declared result was muted and it is almost certain that the ensuing political dispute will be decided in court.
Okpebholo, a businessman turned politician was elected senator of Edo Central constituency in 2023 before winning the APC’s endorsement to contest the gubernatorial seat early this year.
