The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will today issue certificates of return to Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa. The event is set to take place at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja, five days after the duo was declared the winners of the Edo State gubernatorial election.
Okpebholo, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged victorious in the tightly contested election held on Sunday. He was declared the winner by the Returning Officer, Prof. Faruq Kuta, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, at the INEC collation center in Benin City.
Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, winning in 11 out of the state’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs). His closest contender, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), garnered 247,274 votes, claiming victory in seven LGAs. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata finished third with 22,761 votes.
The issuance of certificates of return is a constitutional requirement that formally affirms the election results and authorizes the governor-elect and his deputy to assume office. Okpebholo and Idahosa are both present at the INEC headquarters for the official ceremony.
The election has been widely regarded as a significant moment for Edo State politics, given the close margins and intense competition between the major candidates.
