KEY POINTS
- Monday Okpebholo was inaugurated as governor of Edo State.
- Okpebholo’s APC candidacy led with over 291,000 votes.
- The ceremony drew top dignitaries, including Vice President Shettima.
Monday Okpebholo, a serving senator, was sworn in as the governor of Edo state on Tuesday. He took the oath of office around 1 p.m. at an inauguration ceremony in Benin, the state capital.
As the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Okpebholo won the September 21 off-cycle governorship election in Edo. According to Businessday, he secured 291,667 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 247,274 votes.
Olumide Akpata, the Labour Party (LP) candidate, placed third with 22,763 votes.
Dennis Idahosa was also sworn in as deputy governor of Edo.
Dignitaries in attendance included Vice President Kashim Shettima, Governors Forum Chair Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, reinstated Edo Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, and other governors under the APC.
After taking the oath, Okpebholo rode in an open-top van around the stadium, acknowledging cheers from supporters.