The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Sunday, September 22, 2024, declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate in Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

Okpebholo won the election with 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes.

The Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate, Olumide Akpata, came a distant third with 22,361 votes.

A breakdown of the results showed that APC won in 11 Local Government Areas, while PDP won in seven LGAs.

Tinubu to Edo Governor-elect Okpebholo: Don’t gloat over your victory

Below are a few things to know about the Edo State Governor-elect:

• Okpebholo was born on August 29, 1970, in Udomi community in Uwesan-Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State.
• He attended Udomi Community Primary School and Ujabhole Community Secondary School, both in Uwesan-Irrua, Esan Central LGA of Edo State.
• He completed his secondary education and obtained his senior school certificate in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
• Okpebholo thereafter obtained a degree in Business Administration from the University of Abuja (UniAbuja) and a Master’s degree in Policy and Leadership Studies from the same institution.
• Monday Okpebholo won the Edo Central Senatorial District seat under the APC on February 25, 2023, breaking the 24-year rule of the PDP in the zone.
• On 13 June 2023, he was inaugurated into the 10th National Assembly as the senator representing Edo Central Senatorial District.
• Okpebholo won the APC gubernatorial primary election in Edo State on February 23, 2024.
• He was declared the Edo State Governor-elect on September 22, 2024.
• Okpebholo is a businessman with investments in construction, oil and gas, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), and hospitality.
• He is married to Blessing Okpapi Okpebholo and together they have four children.
• Monday Okpebholo is a Christian and an active member of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

The Star