President Bola Tinubu extended his congratulations to Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for his recent triumph in the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday. Okpebholo, aged 54, emerged victorious with a total of 291,667 votes, surpassing Asue Ighodalo from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Olumide Akpata from the Labour Party (LP) trailed significantly behind in third place with just 22,763 votes.

The election featured fourteen other candidates, but none could rival the three leading contenders. In a statement released on Sunday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu emphasized that Okpebholo’s victory should not be a cause for celebration but rather a “challenging call to service.” He urged the newly elected governor to exhibit magnanimity by reaching out to political opponents and fostering unity among the people of Edo State to facilitate its development.

Tinubu also acknowledged the contributions of all candidates in the election, highlighting that their participation strengthens Nigeria’s democratic process. He stated that peaceful electoral contests, such as this one, showcase Nigeria’s commitment to stability and democratic values.

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The President encouraged those dissatisfied with the election results to pursue legal remedies, affirming that the electoral process should be respected. He commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for their efforts in ensuring a smooth, peaceful election, reiterating INEC’s commitment to free and fair elections in Nigeria.