The Independent National Electoral Commission INEC has declared the candidate of the All Progressive Congress ( APC) in the 21 September governorship election, Senator Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the contest.
Okpebholo, who is the Senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District, scored 291,667 votes to emerge the Governor -elect, while his closet rival, Asuerinmen Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP scored 247220 votes .
Okpebholo won 13 Local Government Areas of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state, while Ighodalo won 6. Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party scored 22,732 without winning any Local Government Area.
Declaring the result , the Returning Officer of the Edo State 2024 Governorship election and Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology, Minna, Prof Faruok Adamu Kuta said that, “Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC having satisfied the requirements of the law is here by returned elected.’
Reacting,the Edo State Governor -elect said, “God bless Nigeria,God bless Edo State,thank you “
The former Governor of Edo State and Senator representing Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said he is fullfiled to have seen Senator Monday Okpebholo emerge as the Governor -elect and prayed that God gives the Governor -elect the grace to be able to fulfill his campaign promises to Edo people.
Also, reacting the Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki said, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) will use every democratic means to fight the injustice meted on the party and enjoined Edo people to go about their normal business.
Senator Monday Okpebholo emerged as a prominent figure in the Nigerian politics when he won the Edo Central Senatorial seat on the platform of the APC by defeating the incumbent Senator, Engr. Clifford Ordia in the 2023 general elections. He followed the feat with his triumph in the the February All Progressives Congress, APC, primary election for the 2024 gubernatorial contest in Edo State.
Okpebholo was born on 29 August 1970 in Udomi-Uwessan community of Irrua.
He attended Udomi Community Primary School and Ujabhole Community Secondary School, both in Uwesan Irrua, Esan Central LGA. He completed his secondary education and obtained his senior school certificate in Jos, Plateau State. Afterwards, he obtained a degree in Business Administration from the University of Abuja and holds a Masters’ degree in Policy and Leadership Studies from the same institution.
Okpebholo contested for the Senate Seat in Edo Central senatorial district, under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was elected on 25 February 2023. On 13 June 2023, he was inaugurated into the 10th National Assembly of Nigeria, as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, representing Edo Central Senatorial District.
In February 2024, he won the Edo State APC gubernatorial primary election.
Okpebholo is married to Blessing Okpapi Ekpe and together they have 2 children.