Senator Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress(APC) candidate, has emerged winner of the Edo State Governorship Election polling a total of 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP.
Giving a breakdown of the results by the two leading parties in each of the 18 local governments the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stated that in Akoko-Edo APC got 34,847 votes while PDP got 15,865 votes; Egor APC – 16,760 PDP – 14,658; Esan Central APC – 10,990 PDP – 8,618; Esan North East APC – 10,648 PDP – 12,522; Esan South East APC – 8,398 PDP – 14,199; Esan West APC – 12,952 PDP – 11,004; Etsako Central APC – 11,906 PDP – 8,455; Etsako East APC – 20,167 PDP – 9,685; Etsako West APC – 32,107 PDP – 17,483
Igueben APC – 5,407 PDP – 8,470; Ikpoba Okha APC – 16,338 PDP – 26,382; Oredo APC – 30,780 PDP – 24,938; Orhionmwon APC – 16,059 PDP – 14,614; Ovia North East APC – 13,225 PDP – 15,311; Ovia South West APC – 10,150 PDP – 10,260; Owan West APC – 12,277 PDP – 11,284; Owan East APC – 19,380 PDP – 14,189 and Uhunmwonde APC – 8,776 PDP – 9,339.
Reacting to the result collation, the PDP Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, said: “we demand the immediate re-collation and recomputation of the actual results for the various polling units.”
On his part, Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in his message to the people of the state, said that the PDP will use democratic means to seek justice. He warned against resorting to violence.
“The attractive thing about democracy is the power it bestows on the people to choose who governs them. Therefore, when this power is blatantly seized from the people, it is not just a tragedy but a travesty of democracy.
“Regrettably, the outcome of the September 21st governorship election appears to have daunted the spirit of many Edo people who feel powerless in the face of the brute force of the institutions that are supposed to protect them. It is, therefore, understandable that many people feel sad and aggrieved.
“But in the midst of this despair, I am urging all my fellow Edo citizens to maintain calm and not resort to violence and destruction of property in spite of this provocation.
“Peace and justice will always win at the end, and this is my prescription to all the good people of Edo State who feel vexed and violated at this time.
“Clearly, it is obvious to the least discerning, the amount of impunity and reckless disregard for processes and law that was displayed in this gubernatorial election
“In a democracy, there are safeguards for addressing grievances, and we hope that those affected will seek resolution for this blatant disregard of law and process. “Obaseki said.
While congratulating Senator Okpebholo on his victory, President Bola Tinubu commended APC national leaders, Edo State leaders, and party governors for working hard to achieve victory
He said the victory testified to the people’s support for the ruling party, its progressive ideals, its economic reengineering programme, and its commitment to improving the lives of Nigerians.
He urged the governor elect not to gloat over his victory but to see it as a challenging call to service. He encouraged him to demonstrate magnanimity by reaching out to his political rivals and uniting the people of Edo State to ensure its development.
The President urged all those aggrieved by the election outcome to seek redress through the legal channels. In addition, he commended the people of Edo State for their orderly and peaceful conduct during the election, underscoring the maturing of Nigeria’s democracy after 25 years.
“I commend the INEC and our security agencies for working round the clock to conduct a successful, peaceful, and largely hitch-free exercise. INEC has once again demonstrated that it is committed to organising a free and fair election in our country,” Tinubu said.
