By Sebastine Ebhuomhan
Congratulations to the lawmaker of Edo Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly of the Federal Republic, Distinguished Senator Monday Okpebholo, on his indelible, populist and overwhelming nomination by the All Progressives Congress (APC) of Edo State as the party’s candidate in the state governorship election of September 21st, 2024. The triumph of Okpebholo alias ‘Akpakomiza’ over threats, forces, and tribulations remarkably underline a lesson in decision, diligence, courage, focus, hope, and doggedness, needed to effectively steer Edo State, Nigeria’s Heartbeat and cosmopolitan melting point, to greatness.
In a fierce contest that transcended a second, conclusive poll on Thursday, February 22nd 2024, Akpakomiza emerged the most tested and trusted aspirant of 12 contestants with a total of 12, 433 votes. The lawmaker of Ovia South West/Ovia North East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, alias Denco, with 6,541 votes, came a distant second.
According to the result declared by the Returning Officer and ratified by the Chairman of the Revised APC Edo Gubernatorial Election Committee, the Governor of Cross River State, Mr. Bassey Otu, Prince Clement Agba scored 2,732 votes; Hon. Anamero Dekeri 2,562 votes; Dr. Afolabi Umakhihe 2,117 votes; Gen. Charles Airhiavbere 1,181 votes; Dr. Blessing Agbonmere 731 votes; Mr. Gideon Ikhine 720 votes; Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor 634 votes; Chief Lucky Imasuen 493 votes; Col. David Imuse 423 votes; and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu 378 votes. Understandably, some aspirants such as Ize-Iyamu and Imasuen stepped down before the election and directed their supporters to nominate Akpakomiza.