The new governor of Edo State Monday Okpebholo and his deputy Dennis Idahosa were sworn in on Tuesday at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City.
He took over from outgoing Godwin Obaseki who spent two terms.
The ceremony took place on Tuesday two months after the All Progressives Congress (APC) clinched the ticket to the Dennis Osadebe House.
Okpebholo who won on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was sworn in along with his running mate Idahosa around 12:55 pm and thereafter rode in an open van around the stadium, accepting cheers from supporters.
Governor Okpebholo thanked the people of the State for voting him in as governor, describing it as the triumph of democracy.
“Let me start by thanking God for His grace and incredible blessings. Democracy has triumphed again in our dear state,” the governor said.
“For me, this is a humbling moment made possible by you all,” he said, adding, “Today, you have officially given me the mandate to preside over our dear state as governor for the next four years. We will not betray this confidence you have reposed in me and the deputy governor Rt Hon. Dennis Idahosa. The welfare of our citizens is a top priority to us.”
He said he would strengthen the security of the state, link communities together by road, and support small businesses to boost the economy.
Vice President Kashim Shettima who represented President Bola Tinubu; governors under the APC; Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo; a former governor of the Edo Adams Oshiomhole among others attended the ceremony
Okpebholo beat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21 keenly-contested election with the APC flag bearer polling 291,667 as against his main rival’s score of 247,274 votes while Labour Party (LP)’s Olumide Akpata came a distant third with 22,763 votes in the polls contested by fourteen candidates.
The PDP, despite being the ruling party in the state, failed to hold onto power in the State, surrendering to the APC where the former governor clinched his first ticket to the seat.
The APC taking over in Edo State could be attributed to the feud between Obaseki and outgoing depuy Governor Philip Shuaibu and Oshiomhole’s influence led to Okpebholo’s emergence.
