The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has presented certificates of return to Edo State Governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Dennis Idahosa.
These certificates were handed over by INEC’s National Commissioner for Edo State, Rhoda Gumus, on Thursday, five days after Okpebholo and his deputy were declared winners of the election.
The issuance of the certificates officially confirms Okpebholo and Idahosa as the incoming governor and deputy governor of Edo State.
Okpebholo will take over from Governor Godwin Obaseki, who will vacate Osadebe House on November 11 after completing his two terms. Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress, emerged victorious in the closely contested Edo governorship election held on Sunday.
The result was announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. Faruq Kuta, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, at the INEC collation center in Benin City.
Okpebholo garnered 291,667 votes, securing victory in 11 out of the 18 Local Government Areas in the state. His main opponent, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, received 247,274 votes, winning seven LGAs.
Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party came in third with 22,761 votes.