Our reporter
The outgoing Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has called for calm following the defeat of his anointed candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the 2024 Edo gubernatorial election.
Speaking shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the results, Obaseki urged residents to avoid any form of violence or provocation as the political landscape shifts.
INEC, in an official statement on Sunday, September 22, 2024, announced that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Monday Okpebholo, emerged victorious in the election held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.
Okpebholo, 54, secured a total of 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes.
Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) finished in third place with 22,763 votes, while fourteen other candidates collectively garnered minimal support.
INEC’s Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Faruk Kuta, declared Okpebholo the winner at 9:27 pm at the collation centre in Benin City, to loud cheers from APC supporters.
Obaseki, whose eight-year tenure is drawing to a close, hinted at the possibility of legal challenges regarding the election outcome, though he did not provide specifics.
“In the face of provocation, I urge everyone to remain calm and to avoid actions that may lead to violence,” the governor said in a brief address, signaling potential disputes over the declared result.
The election, regarded as highly competitive, saw political heavyweights working against Ighodalo, Obaseki’s preferred successor.
Notable figures such as former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Edo State Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole were reportedly instrumental in securing Okpebholo’s victory.
Additionally, Lagos-based politicians, led by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, were also said to have played a crucial role, reportedly retaliating against Obaseki after he had publicly belittled Lagos’ political influence during his tenure.
Obaseki’s fallout with these political heavyweights and his prior jests aimed at Lagos’ leadership, notably APC leader Bola Tinubu, are seen as having shaped the political dynamics that contributed to Ighodalo’s defeat.
The defection of key figures like Dan Orbih of the Legacy PDP, former APC chairman Anselm Ojezua, and Kabiru Adjoto, former PDP speaker, also weakened Obaseki’s influence.
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