Senate President Godswill Akpabio praised APC candidate Monday Okpebholo’s victory in Edo State governorship election, highlighting Nigerians’ growing confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s leadership.
Akpabio made this statement on Sunday while addressing the press, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo the winner of the election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
The APC candidate emerged victorious after winning in 11 out of the 18 local government areas, defeating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who won in 7 local government areas. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata failed to secure any local government area in the tightly contested poll.
“I strongly believe that the election in Edo, though tense at the beginning, is a reflection of the confidence that Nigerians continue to express in President Tinubu,” Akpabio remarked, lauding the peaceful conduct of the election and the overwhelming support for APC.
INEC’s Returning Officer, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, announced the final results, confirming Okpebholo’s victory with a total of 291,667 votes. Ighodalo of the PDP garnered 247,274 votes, while Akpata of the Labour Party secured 18,737 votes.
This result reaffirms APC’s political dominance in the region and the influence of President Tinubu’s administration.
The Senate President further emphasized that the outcome of the election mirrors Nigerians’ trust in the policies of the APC government at both federal and state levels.
The Edo election, though characterized by initial tension, has been largely praised for its peaceful conclusion, with stakeholders commending INEC’s role in ensuring a credible and transparent process.
With the election behind, attention now shifts to the incoming administration of Governor-elect Okpebholo, as he prepares to steer Edo State forward under the APC banner.