The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially presented the certificate of return to Monday Okpebholo, the governor-elect of Edo State, following his victory in the recent election.
Okpebholo’s deputy, Dennis Idahosa, also received a certificate during the ceremony, which took place at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja.
Rhoda Gumus, the INEC national commissioner representing Edo, handed over the certificates on Thursday. This comes after INEC declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate as the winner of the Edo governorship race on Sunday.
Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes.
Top APC figures, including party chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and Senator Adams Oshiomhole, were present at the event. Ganduje expressed delight at reclaiming Edo for APC, after the party previously lost the state to PDP.
“We are quite happy. We also commend INEC for conducting a free and fair election,” he said.
Oshiomhole highlighted the new governor’s commitment to respecting Edo’s traditions and prioritising education. “Now, we have a humble and focused governor,” he stated.
Meanwhile, both the PDP and Labour Party (LP) have rejected the outcome of the election, raising concerns about the process.