Fatshimétrie
Saturday, September 21, 2024 will be etched in the memories of the people of Edo State, Nigeria, as a wave of enthusiastic citizens headed to the polling stations to participate in the election that saw the emergence of Monday Okpebholo, a candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner.
Okpebholo triumphed with 291,667 votes, narrowly beating the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who came second with a total of 247,274 votes, while Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party came a distant second with 22,763 votes.
The APC claimed victory in 10 of the 18 Local Government Areas of the state, while the PDP won the remaining eight.
On Sunday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared Monday Okpebholo as governor-elect, with the announcement made by Professor Faruq Adamu Kuta, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Minna, at the INEC Compilation Centre in Benin City.
As Edo State looks to this new chapter, all eyes are on Monday Okpebholo.
Here are eight things to know about the governor-elect:
1. Born in 1970 in Uromi, Edo State, Okpebholo grew up in a humble family that instilled in him the values of integrity, hard work and service.
2. His educational journey took him through local schools before attending the University of Benin where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Agricultural Economics. He did not stop there as he later obtained a Master of Public Administration and a PhD in Agricultural Economics from the University of Ibadan.
3. Beyond politics, Okpebholo is an entrepreneur investing in diversified sectors such as hospitality, construction, oil and gas, and agribusiness.
4. He has also made a positive impact through his philanthropic efforts through the Monday Okpebholo Foundation, providing scholarships, health services and vocational training to underprivileged communities.
5. Okpebholo’s political career began in 2003 when he was elected to the House of Representatives under the PDP banner. Since then, he has campaigned for agriculture, rural development and law reforms.
6. Outside his professional life, Okpebholo is a family man, married with four children, who is deeply attached to his roots in Edo State.
7. He is also a Christian and an active member of the Church of Christ Worldwide (RCCG).
8. As he prepares to lead Edo State, Monday Okpebholo’s campaign has focused on development, economic empowerment and sustainable growth.
Fatshimetrie News