Edo governorship election and Okpebholo’s triumph

Monday Okpebholo

Published By: Ayorinde Oluokun

By Michael Jegede

After an intense electoral contest to decide who takes over the affairs of Edo State from the incumbent Governor Godwin Obaseki come November 12, 2024, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Edo State off-cycle governorship election held on September 21, 2024, Senator Monday Okpebholo, emerged winner.

According to results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Okpebholo polled a total of 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 22,763 votes in the race that involved 17 candidates.

The returning officer, Prof. Faruk Adamu Kuta, Vice Chancellor (VC) of Federal University of Technology (FUT), Minna, announced the results. He said APC had the highest number of votes in 11 out of the state’s 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs), while the PDP won in 7. Of the 2,629,025 registered voters, 2, 249, 780 collected PVCs, 603,932 were accredited, 573, 965 cast votes, while 13,275 votes were rejected.

With the victory of Okpebholo at the poll, the APC is returning to the Osadebe House to take control of governmental power in Edo State, after the sitting governor, Obaseki, in 2020 quitted the party to join the PDP, having fallen out with his predecessor and former godfather, Senator Adams Oshiomhole.

Since the announcement of the results was made on September 22, 2024, a day after the election was held, it’s been celebration galore for loyalists of Okpebholo, supporters and members of APC within and outside Edo State. They believe that Okpebholo will govern well and reposition the state for economic advancement.

The Edo State Acting Chairman of APC, Jarrett Tenabe, described the election as free, fair and transparent. He said: “APC is the party that cares for the people. We have the governor that will respect the people; the governor that will work for the good of Edo people.”

The governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, feels quite delighted about the triumph of Okpebholo in the recently conducted Edo guber poll. The Cross River helmsman, who was the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for the Edo governorship election, appeared uncomfortable being the only APC governor in the South-South region of the country. I recall Otu saying that “The Almighty God Himself detests loneliness”, while addressing party stalwarts at the South-South APC Conference held in June this year in Calabar.

Otu who had equally chaired the APC National Campaign Council for Imo guber poll that worked for Governor Hope Uzodinma’s reelection in November 2023, said in a congratulatory message that Okpebholo’s triumph is “a promising indication of unity and collaboration that will fortify the South-South region’s position in national politics.” Commending the Edo people for their active participation in the election, Governor Otu added that “The outcome of the election underscored the importance of citizens exercising their democratic prerogative and the consequential impact it wields on the political landscape of our nation.”

Prior to the election, Otu, speaking as the APC National Campaign Council Chairman at the grand finale of the party’s campaign, had expressed total confidence that Okpebholo would emerge victorious, avowing that the feat recorded in Imo would be repeated in Edo. For him, Okpebholo, who he described as a perfect gentleman, humble and compassionate leader, represents the change Edolites need at the moment, considering the significant impact he has made on the lives of the people via his Foundation which is said to have offered scholarships, healthcare services, vocational training and empowerment to the underprivileged.

“The Okpebholo Foundation, has it not touched on education? Has it not touched on health? Has it not touched on empowerment? Has it discriminated against anybody? That is the mark of a true leader. Those are the kind of people we need to come on the throne. Because that means when he comes on board as Edo governor, he is going to replicate those good things for the entire citizens in the state and Edo will be a better place for all and sundry.

“It is time for Edo to rise. It is only the man who knows the weight of your burden and problem that can actually solve it. Give us Senator Monday Okpebholo. He is your brother. He is a home boy. Make sure you come out and vote for Senator Monday Okpebholo to change the story of Edo State for the good of the people,” Otu had told Edo Electorate while canvassing votes for Okpebholo before the Election Day in Benin City.

Prince Otu, who had also chaired the committee which conducted the primary poll that produced Okpebholo as APC candidate for the Edo gubernatorial election, assured Edolites that they will have no regrets voting the Edo Central Senator as their next governor.

The Cross River South Consultative Forum (CRSCF) reportedly praised Okpebholo for the victory, while stating with firm conviction that the Edo Governor-elect will rebuild the state to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people. CRSCF hailed Governor Otu for succeeding as the party’s national campaign council chairman to bring back Edo into the APC fold, while also thanking all those who worked hard to secure the victory.

In a news report published by Leadership Newspaper, the group was quoted as saying “This triumph marks a significant milestone for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the great people of Edo State.

“We extend our profound appreciation to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose visionary leadership continues to strengthen the APC across the nation.

“This victory, the second to be midwifed by Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, since the 2023 general election, is a testament to the President’s commitment to the unity and growth of Nigeria, ensuring the continuity of progressive governance in Edo State.

“Equally, we salute His Excellency, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, the Chairman of the APC National Campaign Council for the Edo State election.”

Besides Governor Otu, Other APC governors who were likewise on ground to rally support for Okpebholo and plead with Edo people to give him their votes included the Governors of Imo – Hope Uzodinma, Lagos – Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun – Dapo Abiodun, Nasarawa – Abadullahi Sule, Kogi – Usman Ododo, Kwara – AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, Jigawa – Umar Namadi and Ondo – Lucky Aiyedatiwa whose own election will take place on November 16, 2024.

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio was equally on ground ahead of the election to solicit votes for Okpebholo. In a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh after the election, Akpabio said the outcome of the guber poll wasn’t just a win for the APC but for the whole state.

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He remarked that “This triumph is a testament to Senator Okpebholo’s tireless efforts and commitment to the people of Edo State.

“As a seasoned politician and senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, Senator Okpebholo has consistently demonstrated his ability to drive positive change and progress. His victory is a significant milestone for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and a clear indication of the people’s trust in his leadership.”

The Edo State Chapter of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), in a statement signed by its Chairman, Abdulazeez Igbinidu, to congratulate Okpebholo, the governor-elect, enjoined APC supporters to celebrate in moderation and show magnanimity in victory, while urging those who lost to accept defeat in good faith.

Igbinidu was quoted to have said: “It is expected that in a competitive election, everybody cannot win at the same time. So out of the lot only one party must always win. For those that did not win now, let us remember that there is always tomorrow. There is always time for everybody to excel.

“Whatever mercy Allah may grant to mankind; none can withhold it, and whatever He may withhold, none can grant it thereafter. And He is the All-Mighty and The Wise. Quran 35 verse 2.

“On behalf of all Muslims in the state, I greet all the good people of Edo state and also thank Almighty Allah for making it possible for us to witness the much awaited governorship election held on 21st September, 2024. I thank Allah for the relative peace we experienced before and during the election.

“I appreciate the various Security Agencies for the good roles they played. I also appreciate the various governmental and non- government organizations for their roles in sensitizing the various stakeholders towards a peaceful and successful election.

“These organisations include: National Peace Committee, Kinpad Development Initiative, the Kukah Center, National Orientation Agency, Independent National Electoral Commission and especially the State Peace and Mediation Working Committee, SPMWC set up by KDI which I am also a member.”

Speaking on the triumph shortly after the governor-elect’s visit along with top APC members to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (PBAT), Oshiomhole, the Senator representing Edo North Senatorial District and former governor of Edo State, averred that Edolites will see a new approach to governance under the leadership of Okpebholo.

His words: “God confers power. Man can make all the efforts, but if God chooses not to crown it, it will be in vain. I am excited that we have reclaimed a new state almost in the same manner that we reclaimed it from PDP in 2007 before Obaseki took it away.

“My joy is the fact that Edo people will now have a governor that they can hug, they can touch, they can feel. And a governor that will open the doors. So, they are all excited now that they are back again with a governor that they can say, this is my governor.”

Oshiomhole who stood solidly behind Okpebholo in the course of the electioneering added: “Incidentally, his name translated in English means the rescuer. And so God has brought him to rescue the Edo people, to restore integrity, to rebuild our schools, to employ teachers so that parents don’t need to contribute money to pay teachers.”

Okpebholo told newsmen after the meeting with the President that he would be a servant-leader to Edo people, while also declaring his readiness to operate an open-door policy, accommodate and work with the opposition for the development of the state.

He said: “I think Edo people have spoken with their votes. I’m coming as a servant to serve the Edo people. That is what is required of me, and that is exactly what I’m going to do. So very soon, you will see a lot of development coming up in Edo.”

The PDP and its candidate, Ighodalo, rejected the outcome of the election, claiming that the exercise was compromised and manipulated to favour APC’s Okpebholo. Ighodalo refused to accept the olive branch and hand of fellowship extended to him by the governor-elect, insisting that he would proceed to the tribunal to challenge the declaration of Okpebholo as winner of the election by INEC.

Ighodalo said: “Because the mandate is stolen, there is no way you can accept these hands of fellowship or friendship. There is a lot of data, information, evidence that we have. We are fully confident that going through the tribunal, we will win the case. We will regain our mandate and we are clear without any doubt that we were the winners of the election.”

Okpebholo, a business admin graduate and holder of Masters in Policy and Leadership Studies from UNIABUJA, an entrepreneur and a philanthropist, with diverse investments in the areas of construction, hospitality, oil and gas, agriculture and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), was born on August 29, 1970.

The founder of Chapman Computer Limited and Interweb Satcom Limited, Okpebholo, in the 2023 general election won the Senate seat for Edo Central on the platform of APC, thereby loosening the iron grip with which the PDP had held on to the position in the senatorial district for 24 years.

Michael Jegede, a journalist, writes from Abuja