Senator Monday Okpebholo has assumed office as the fifth governor of Edo State since the commencement of the Fourth Republic in 1999.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 21 September governorship election, Okpebholo, who represented Edo North district in the current Senate, succeeded Mr. Godwin Obaseki, who had been in charge of the helm of affairs in the South-South state in the last eight years. Obaseki was first elected on the ticket of the APC in 2016, but switched to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to seek re-election four years later.
His predecessors since 1999 were Chief Lucky Igbinedion (1999 to 2007), Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor (29 May 2007 to 11 November 2008), Comrade (now Senator) Adams Oshiomhole (12 November 2008 to 12 November 2016), and Obaseki (12 November 2016 to 12 November 2024). Osunbor election was annulled by the court, having been challenged by Oshiomhole.
Okpebholo’s swearing-in ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital.
Okpebholo took his oath of office alongside his running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
The inauguration sums up an intriguing political season in the state that pitted former allies against each other, and godfathers against their mentees.
Okpebholo defeated PDP’s Asue Ighodalo the keenly-contested election. The APC candidate polled 291,667 as against his main rival’s score of 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s, Barrister Olumide Akpata came a distant third with 22,763 votes in the polls contested by fourteen candidates.
Despite enjoying the backing of then-governor Obaseki, the PDP failed to continue its hold on power in the state, surrendering to the APC where the former governor clinched his first ticket to the seat.
Analysts believe the APC’s reclamation of the state is a testament to the fractured relationship between Comrade Philip Shuaibu (who served as Obaseki’s deputy) and Oshiomhole’s influence led to Okpebholo’s emergence.
But the PDP has faulted the victory, claiming its mandate was stolen. The party vowed to challenge Okpebholo’s win which they alleged was not the wishes of the people.
