Edo State Governor-Elect Okpebholo’s Victory Attributed to Party Unity and Electoral Commission’s Level Playing Field

The victory of Monday Okpebholo in Edo State’s September 21 governorship election has been attributed by a member of the House of Representatives, Billy Osawaru, to the team spirit exhibited by the All Progressives Congress (APC) party leaders and members across the state’s three senatorial districts. The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, with Asue Ighodalo and Olumide Akpata of the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party finishing second and third with 247,274 and 22,763 votes respectively.

Speaking to journalists at the National Assembly Complex on Saturday, Osawaru represented Orhionmwon/Uhunmwode Federal Constituency, described the emergence of the APC in the state’s power structure as a sign of good things to come, saying the party had “no choice but to go all out and work for its victory” due to the controversial statements made by the state governor. According to Osawaru, the APC worked together on the same page to win the election, and attributed their victory to the collaboration and security measures put in place by the Federal Government.

Fielding questions about allegations of vote-buying, Osawaru denied any such claims, asserting that the APC’s win was the result of “hard work” and questioning the proof behind such claims. He also dismissed any suggestion that the APC’s victory represented a return of godfatherism, noting that seeking advice from previous officeholders was simply an effort to ensure the development of the state.

Speaking positively about the governor-elect and his deputy, Dennis Idahosa, Osawaru described them as committed to developing the state. The two are reportedly already working on a blueprint for driving development in Edo State.