All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, and Senator representing Edo Central in the National Assembly Senator Monday Okpebholo, has emerged the winner of the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election.
Okpebholo defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Asue Akintunde Ighodalo, in the contested race across the state’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) results of the elections showed that the APC won in 12 LGAs, while the PDP claimed victory in only six. **In total, the APC garnered 291,169 votes**, while the PDP trailed behind with 246,645 votes.
**Local Government Area Breakdown**
In **Akoko-Edo**, the APC recorded a substantial win with 34,847 votes, leaving PDP with 15,865 votes. The APC continued its dominance in **Egor**, securing 16,760 votes, while the PDP managed 14,658. Other strongholds for the APC included **Esan Central** (10,990 votes), **Etsako Central** (11,906 votes), and **Etsako West**, where Okpebholo secured 32,107 votes, compared to PDP’s 17,483.
However, the PDP found success in some parts of Edo, notably in **Esan North East**, where it secured 12,522 votes to the APC’s 10,648, and **Esan South East**, where PDP polled 14,199 votes against APC’s 8,398. The PDP also had a strong showing in **Ikpoba-Okha**, where it won with 26,382 votes, while APC gathered 16,338.
In the state capital, **Oredo**, the APC continued its dominance, amassing 30,780 votes, with the PDP getting 24,938 votes. Other notable wins for the APC included **Orhionmwon** (16,059 votes) and **Owan East** (19,380 votes), helping Okpebholo solidify his path to victory.
**Total Votes Cast and the Path to Victory**
According to the INEC a total of 621,435 votes were cast in the election, with the APC emerging as the winner after a close race in several LGAs.
Senator Monday Okpebholo’s win comes from his appeal to voters in both rural and urban areas, where his message of infrastructure development, security, and economic growth resonated. Okpebholo’s strategic ground game and support from key political figures like serving Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former Governorship candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Senator Mathew Urhoghide, Engr Ogbeide-Ihama, Rt Hon Peter Akpatason, Rt Hon Julius Ihonvbere were crucial factors in his victory.
**Ighodalo Urged to Concede Defeat**
Despite a spirited campaign, tainted by the the poor record of his godfather, the outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki, Asue Akintunde Ighodalo was unable to overcome the widespread support for the APC.
As Edo state looks ahead to a new administration, all eyes are on Senator Monday Okpebholo as he prepares to take office and steer Edo State towards what his supporters hope will be a period that tallies with his motto, A New Edo is Rising.