Edo Gov Elect, Okpebholo Receives Certificate Of Return, Amidst Condemnation 

By Ayodele Oni

To further seal the victory of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in last Saturday’s Governorship Election in Edo State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has  presented Certificate of Return to the winner.

The presentation took place at the INEC Headquarters Abuja on Thursday, thus solidifying Okpebholo’s position as the elected governor.

This is coming as virtually all election observers which monitored the election insisted that figures were manipulated in favour of Okpebholo.

The PDP also rejected the results of the recent Edo State Governorship election, as declared by the INEC.

During a media briefing in Abuja on Monday, the Acting National Chairman of the PDP,  Umar Damagum, expressed his party’s dissatisfaction with the outcome, asserting that the people of Edo State rightfully voted for the PDP’s candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and expect him to be announced as the governor-elect.

PDP has vowed to challenge the outcome of the election in Court.

Okpebholo was declared winner in the election held on September 21, where he secured a total of 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes.

Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, (LP) came distant third  with 22,763 votes.

In the election, Okpebholo’s APC party made significant gains, winning in over 10 of the 18 local government areas, while the PDP managed to claim marginal victories in the remaining councils.

Notably, the APC dominated in two of the three critical senatorial districts within the state, reflecting a decisive shift in the political landscape of Edo.