Edo Election: APC’s Okpebholo Wins Obaseki’s LG

Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged victorious over Governor Godwin Obaseki’s preferred candidate in the Oredo Local Government Area (LGA) during the Edo State governorship election held on September 21-22, 2024. This outcome signifies a notable political upset as Oredo LGA is the home base of Governor Obaseki. According to the results from the election, Okpebholo secured 30,780 votes in Oredo LGA, surpassing Obaseki’s candidate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 24,938 votes. The Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata came third with 5,842 votes in this particular local government.

This development is part of a broader trend where Okpebholo has demonstrated significant electoral strength, winning in several other LGAs across Edo State, which has contributed to his lead in the overall governorship race. As of the latest reports, Okpebholo has won in 10 out of the 16 LGAs where results have been announced, showcasing a strong performance that could potentially lead to his victory in the governorship election, pending the final collation of results from all 18 LGAs.

This election has been marked by high stakes and notable incidents, including allegations of electoral manipulation and significant political maneuvering. The outcome in Oredo LGA, where Governor Obaseki himself was previously booed at the INEC office over concerns of election result manipulation, underscores the contentious nature of the election. The PDP and other observers have raised concerns about the transparency and integrity of the electoral process, particularly in how results were collated and announced. However, as of now, these are the officially declared results for Oredo LGA, showcasing a clear victory for Okpebholo and a significant setback for Obaseki and the PDP in this crucial area.