How I plan to govern Edo State – Governor-elect Okpebholo
Story by Jane AISO
Monday Okpebholo, the newly elected governor of Edo State, has pledged to emulate the accomplishments of Godswill Akpabio, the current President of the Senate, during his tenure as governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Okpebholo said he plan to replicate the developmental strides and transformative initiatives that characterised Akpabio’s governorship, which reportedly brought significant growth to Akwa Ibom.
Okpebholo, who contested under the All Progressives Congress (APC) platform, also vowed to lift the South-South state to new heights upon taking the oath of office.
He boasted that his victory was a new dawn for the state.
The governor-elect stated these while addressing journalists on Sunday, September 22, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner.
Okpebholo appreciated the people of the state for believing in his ability to lead them, promising to provide good governance over the next four years.
“I want to tell you that I am starting from where Adams Oshiomhole stopped. I also want to let you know that I would like to imitate what Akpabio has done in Akwa Ibom State.
“Edo has received a new transformation. By the grace of God, Edo is back again,” he stated.
INEC declared Okpebholo winner of the governorship election conducted in Edo State on Saturday, September 21.
Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes to defeat his closest rival from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, who got 247,274 votes.
The Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, garnered 22,763 in the election to occupy a distant third position.
The returning officer and vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Minna, Haro Adamu Kuta, while announcing the final results said having met the constitutional requirements for being the winner, Okpebholo was the election winner.
With the declaration, Okpebholo will succeed PDP’s Governor Godwin Obaseki, who leaves office on November 12 after serving two terms.
Reports indicates that the election was a battle between two godfathers who worked tirelessly to ensure their candidate occupied the Osadebe House
former governor and serving senator, representing Edo North, Oshiomole threw his weight behind Okpebholo, a serving senator representing Edo Central, while the incumbent, Obaseki, was strongly behind his anointed candidate and businessman, Ighodalo.
Seventeen political parties competed for votes in the poll, with Okpebholo, Ighodalo and Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) – leading the race.
Proofreading by Gift Luckson, Editor at Neptune Prime.
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