Senator Monday Okpebholo has emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the forthcoming September 2024 governorship election in Edo State. Okpebholo secured a resounding victory with 12,433 votes, outperforming eleven other aspirants.

Announcing the results on Friday, Bassey Otu, the Governor of Cross River State and Chairman of the Revised APC Edo Gubernatorial Election Committee, revealed that a total of 41,784 votes were cast during the primary. Of these, 31,863 voters were accredited, with all cast votes deemed valid and zero recorded as invalid. The primary showcased the participation of 12 contestants, with Senator Monday Okpebholo emerging as the frontrunner.

According to Governor Otu’s announcement, other notable contenders and their respective vote counts included Dr. Blessing A. with 731 votes, Gerald Charles with 1,181 votes, Senator O.O Osunbor with 634 votes, and Col. David Imose with 423 votes.

The primary election, which witnessed the enthusiastic participation of APC members, marked a significant milestone following the cancellation of an earlier primary that yielded different candidates. The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party had nullified the initial primary, citing discrepancies in the results declared by various party officials at different locations.

In response, the NWC rescheduled the primary for Thursday, February 22nd, aiming to ensure a fair and transparent process. The decision to rerun the primary underscored the party’s commitment to upholding democratic principles and conducting credible elections in Edo State.

Senator Monday Okpebholo’s triumph in the APC primary positions him as a formidable contender for the governorship seat, reflecting the evolving political landscape and aspirations of APC members in Edo State.