BENIN: Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has declared that the results of last Saturday’s bye-elections in the state has further affirmed the victory of the All Progressives Congress APC in the September 21, 2024 governorship poll.
The governor made the assertion on Monday while receiving the Member-elect for Ovia Federal Constituency, Hon. Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion, who visited him at Government House, Benin City, in the company of the Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa.
Okpebholo said the results of the bye-elections across Edo proved that the APC enjoyed genuine support from the electorate, contrary to claims that the party “stole” the mandate during the last governorship election.
“I waited for this election to really know if we actually stole any mandate. See the results that came from the Edo Central bye-election, APC won 51 out of 51 wards. This shows clearly that the people gave their mandate to APC. No mandate was stolen”, he stated.
He added that the loss of several wards and units by the Peoples Democratic Party PDP and its candidates confirmed that the people did not back the opposition. According to him, the latest results were “a reflection that Edo is APC.”
The governor further assured that his administration would continue to work hard in alignment with President Bola Tinubu, noting that the promise of delivering 2.5 million votes to the president in future elections was a task the party was determined to achieve.
Speaking earlier, Deputy Governor Idahosa said he led Hon. Igbinedion to introduce her as his successor and to thank the governor for his leadership.
In her remarks, the Ovia Federal Constituency Member-elect expressed gratitude to Okpebholo for his support and pledged effective representation.
“I am not new to the National Assembly and will bring my experience to bear. The Ovia people recognized the hard work you have put in, not just in Ovia but across the state, and I will not let them down,” she assured.
