The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to conduct fresh elections following the declaration of Monday Okpebholo as the Governor-elect of Edo State, alongside his Deputy Governor-elect, Dennis Idahosa.Â
Both men, previously elected to serve in the national legislature, must vacate their seats in the Senate and House of Representatives, prompting the need for by-elections in their respective constituencies, DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS reports that electio is expected to hold within 90 days.
The Emergence of Monday Okpebholo as Edo Governor-Elect
The 54-year-old Monday Okpebholo, representing Edo Central Senatorial District, secured a resounding victory in a highly competitive gubernatorial election.
He garnered 291,667 votes under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), outpacing his closest contender, Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who received 247,274 votes. Labour Party (LP) candidate, Olumide Akpata, finished third with 22,361 votes.
Following the announcement of results, INEC declared Okpebholo and Idahosa winners and duly elected Governor-elect and Deputy Governor-elect of Edo State, respectively.
The Impact of the Upcoming By-Elections
With Okpebholo and Idahosa ascending to their new roles, their departure from their current legislative positions necessitates fresh elections.
INEC is set to organize by-elections to fill the Senate seat for Edo Central and the House of Representatives seat for Ovia South West/Ovia North East Federal Constituency.
These elections are crucial as they will determine the new representatives for these constituencies.
Okpebholo’s Political Journey
Born in 1970 in Uromi, Edo State, Monday Okpebholo’s rise to political prominence is rooted in his early upbringing, where his family instilled values of integrity, diligence, and community service.
His political journey began in 2003 when he was elected to the House of Representatives under the PDP banner.
Over the years, his commitment to public service and his ability to resonate with grassroots supporters have solidified his political standing.
In the 2023 senatorial election, Okpebholo broke a long-standing political jinx in Edo Central Senatorial District, where the PDP had held sway since 1999.
His victory, in which he secured 41,334 votes, overshadowed candidates from the Labour Party and PDP, who polled 32,574 and 25,225 votes, respectively.
Dennis Idahosa’s Influence in Edo Politics
Dennis Idahosa, the Deputy Governor-elect, is no stranger to the corridors of power. Representing Ovia South West/Ovia North East Federal Constituency, Idahosa’s political influence has been significant.
In 2019, he achieved a resounding victory in the House of Representatives race, defeating the incumbent, Ms. Omosede Igbinedion—daughter of Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and sister to former Edo Governor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion.
Idahosa secured 28,509 votes against Igbinedion’s 23,345, marking a turning point in his political career.
In addition to his legislative accomplishments, Idahosa served as Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance and previously held a crucial role in the Edo State Ministry of Investments and Public-Private Partnerships between 2014 and 2015.
A New Chapter for Edo State
With INEC setting the stage for these by-elections, political observers and constituents alike are eager to see how the new representatives will navigate the evolving political dynamics of Edo State.
What remains clear is that both Okpebholo and Idahosa’s electoral victories have marked the beginning of a new political era, not just for Edo State but for the broader Nigerian political landscape.
The upcoming by-elections will further define the state’s political future, reinforcing the need for dynamic and capable leadership to steer Edo towards growth and development.
