The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is set to win the 2024 Edo State governorship election, as he currently leads his main opponent, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), by a substantial margin of 48,595 votes. Results from 16 local government areas (LGAs) have been announced, with only two LGAs left to declare.
According to data provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and further calculations by PM NEWS:
Monday Okpebholo (APC) has garnered 244,549 votes.
Asue Ighodalo (PDP) has secured 195,954 votes.
Olumide Akpata (Labour Party), the former Nigerian Bar Association president, is trailing with 13,348 votes.
So far, APC has emerged victorious in 10 LGAs, while PDP has claimed 6 LGAs. Below is a breakdown of the results from the 16 LGAs declared:
1. Igueben LGA:
Ighodalo (PDP): 8,470 votes
Okpebholo (APC): 5,907 votes
Akpata (LP): 494 votes
2. Uhunmwonde LGA:
Ighodalo (PDP): 9,339 votes
Okpebholo (APC): 8,776 votes
Akpata (LP): 769 votes
3. Ovia North East LGA:
Ighodalo (PDP): 15,311 votes
Okpebholo (APC): 13,225 votes
Akpata (LP): 1,675 votes
4. Esan South East LGA:
Ighodalo (PDP): 14,199 votes
Okpebholo (APC): 8,398 votes
5. Akoko Edo LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 34,847 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 15,865 votes
Akpata (LP): 2,239 votes
6. Owan West LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 12,277 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 11,284 votes
7. Esan West LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 12,952 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 11,004 votes
Akpata (LP): 342 votes
8. Egor LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 16,760 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 14,658 votes
Akpata (LP): 1,966 votes
9. Esan Central LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 10,990 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 8,618 votes
Akpata (LP): 418 votes
10. Esan North East LGA:
Ighodalo (PDP): 12,522 votes
Okpebholo (APC): 10,648 votes
Akpata (LP): 194 votes
11. Ovia South West LGA:
Ighodalo (PDP): 10,260 votes
Okpebholo (APC): 10,150 votes
Akpata (LP): 849 votes
12. Orhionmwon LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 16,059 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 14,614 votes
Akpata (LP): 556 votes
13. Owan East LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 19,380 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 14,189 votes
Akpata (LP): 446 votes
14. Etsako East LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 20,167 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 9,683 votes
Akpata (LP): 604 votes
15. Etsako Central LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 11,906 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 8,455 votes
Akpata (LP): 381 votes
16. Etsako West LGA:
Okpebholo (APC): 32,107 votes
Ighodalo (PDP): 17,483 votes
Akpata (LP): 2,116 votes
Senator Monday Okpebholo’s most significant wins came in Akoko Edo LGA, where he secured 34,847 votes, and Etsako West LGA, where he polled 32,107 votes. These results helped to solidify his lead over Ighodalo and brought him closer to clinching the governorship seat.
In contrast, Ighodalo made notable strides in Igueben, Uhunmwonde, and Esan South East LGAs, where he managed to secure a sizeable number of votes, though these were not enough to overtake Okpebholo.
With the results from two LGAs still pending, political observers are closely watching how the numbers will unfold. However, based on current results, Okpebholo has a comfortable lead, making him the likely winner of the governorship race. The two remaining LGAs are unlikely to produce enough votes for Ighodalo to overturn the APC’s advantage.
Should the APC candidate emerge victorious, this will mark a significant political shift in Edo State, a state that has historically been a battleground between the APC and PDP. Okpebholo’s victory could further strengthen the APC’s influence in southern Nigeria, while potentially posing challenges for the PDP’s future in the state.
Observers have noted that the election was fiercely contested, with both parties engaging in extensive campaigns across the state. The Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, though trailing far behind, garnered some support, indicating the rise of alternative voices in the political landscape.
As the final results from the remaining two LGAs are awaited, Senator Monday Okpebholo’s lead suggests a likely victory in the 2024 Edo State governorship election. His substantial margin of 48,595 votes puts him in a commanding position to secure the governorship. The APC’s dominance in key LGAs has paved the way for Okpebholo to potentially take over from the incumbent administration, signaling new political dynamics in Edo State.
