- Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that 17 political parties are presenting candidates for the Edo 2024 gubernatorial election
- The breakdown of the candidates showed a notable gender disparity, with 16 males and 1 female
- Meet the candidates vying for the governorship position in the Edo 2024 gubernatorial election slated for September 21, 2024
As the countdown to the Edo 2024 governorship election begins, let’s get to meet the key players in the race.
Sam Olumekun, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, revealed that a total of 17 political parties are presenting candidates for the election.
The breakdown from INEC indicated that there are 16 male candidates and just one female candidate.
“In line with the provision of Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022, some political parties conducted fresh primaries to replace their earlier nominated candidates by the deadline of 15th April 2024. The Action Alliance (AA) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) replaced their Governorship candidates and their running mates. In addition, the African Action Congress (AAC), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Boot Party (BP) and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) replaced the running mates of their candidates only.
“Overall, seventeen (17) political parties are fielding candidates in the election. Sixteen (16) are male while one (1) is female. The final list, which also gives the breakdown of the candidates by age, academic qualifications and disability, has been published at our office in Edo State and also uploaded to our website and social media platforms for public information,” Olumekun stated.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has slated the Edo Governorship Election for 21 September 2024.
Who will lead the Heartbeat of the Nation into the next chapter?
Let’s meet the major candidates here!
1. Monday Okpebholo (53) - All Progressives Congress (APC)
Born on August 29, 1970, in the Udomi-Uwessan community of Irrua, Okpebholo went to Udomi Community Primary School and Ujabhole Community Secondary School in Uwesan Irrua, Esan Central LGA.
He obtained his senior school certificate after finishing secondary education in Jos, Plateau State. Subsequently, he earned a degree in Business Administration from the University of Abuja.
Having contested for the Senate seat in Edo Central senatorial district under the All Progressives Congress (APC), Okpebholo secured the position on 25 February 2023. He was officially inaugurated into the 10th National Assembly of Nigeria on 13 June 2023.
Okpebholo, who hails from the Edo Central zone, secured his party’s candidate to mark a climactic moment in his career and set the stage for a highly anticipated electoral contest.
He won the APC gubernatorial primary election for Edo State in February 2024
The APC candidate has pledged to offer free transportation services to residents, acknowledging the vital role mobility plays in economic and social activities.
2. Asuerinme Ighodalo (64) - People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
Asue Ighodalo, a native of Okaigben Ewohimi in the Esan South East Local Government Area of Edo State, was born on July 19, 1959, and is an alumnus of King's College in Lagos.
He earned his B.Sc in Economics from the University of Ibadan in 1981, followed by an LL.B. from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1984 and a B.L. from the Nigerian Law School in Lagos in 1985.
As chairman of Sterling Bank, a director at the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), and chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), he was actively involved in key financial and economic institutions.
Ighodalo resigned from all his corporate roles to pursue his ambition of becoming the governor of Edo State.
On February 22, 2024, Ighodalo was selected as the People's Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the 2024 Edo State governorship election.
With the campaign manifesto titled “Pathway to Prosperity for All,” the PDP candidate proposes strategies to enhance security, invest in women and youth development, improve education, secure food through agricultural advancements, and promote rural and community development to uplift living standards in Edo State.
3. Olumide Akpata (51) - Labour Party (LP)
Akpata, born on October 7, 1972, in Berlin, Germany, started his academic journey at Nana Primary School in Warri, progressed to Federal Government College, Warri, and finished at King's College in Lagos.
He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Law at the University of Benin, Edo State, in 1992 and was called to the bar the following year, in 1993. He served with the National Youth Service Corps in Kano State.
Olumide Akpata was the senior partner and Head of the Corporate and Commercial Practice Group at Templar's law firm in Nigeria until he resigned on August 31, 2023, to focus on partisan politics.
As the Labour Party's popularity rises, it has selected the former national chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) as its nominee for the governorship race.
Akpata stated that his candidacy represents a new wave of optimism and promise that strongly resonates with the voters.
His manifesto outlines a broad vision for economic recovery, infrastructure growth, educational advancement, healthcare enhancement, and social welfare reform.
4. Osifo Isaiah (64) - All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA)
Isaiah Osifo was born in Uvbenisi, located in the Uhunmwode Local Government Area of Edo State. He began his primary education at Uvbenisi Primary School and finished it at St. Peter Primary School in Benin City in 1977.
He finished his secondary education at Western Boys High School in Benin in 1982 and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Political Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1991.
Dr. Isaiah Osifo, who is a farmer and university don, once served as Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor's chief of staff during his governorship of Edo State.
The APGA candidate, known for his grassroots political engagement, is from Imalele Osifo quarters in Uvbenisi, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Edo State.
He pledged that, should he become governor, he would restore local government autonomy, a principle he has been fighting for around 22 years.
Additionally, he promised to ensure that all 18 local government councils receive their constitutional share of 5 per cent of the state’s internally generated revenues.
“If elected as the governor of Edo State, I will uphold my principle of service to the community as the only true definition of politics,” Osifo stated.
BREAKING: Court reinstates Philip Shuaibu as deputy governor of Edo State
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal High Court in Abuja had reinstated Philip Shuaibu as the Deputy Governor of Edo State.
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, declared the decision to dismiss Shuaibu from his position as invalid and against legal provisions.