Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, has said that Governor Godwin Obaseki’s political relevance will diminish following the outcome of the September 21 governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, as the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Oshiomhole said Ighodalo’s defeat, as Obaseki’s chosen candidate, marks the beginning of the end for the governor’s political career. He emphasized that the election result was a clear signal from the people of Edo state, rejecting Obaseki’s influence.
“Obaseki said the election was a do-or-die affair, but now the people have spoken, and politically, he’s dead,” Oshiomhole said. “The verdict is out.”
Oshiomhole also criticized Obaseki for visiting the INEC office in Benin City during the early hours of Sunday, as results were being collated. He questioned the governor’s intentions, suggesting that his presence could be seen as an attempt to intimidate officials or influence the outcome of the election.
“As a former governor, once you’ve voted, you head home. What was he doing at the collation center?” Oshiomhole asked. “It raises serious concerns about the intention behind such a visit.”
Obaseki had defended his visit, stating that he went to the INEC office to inquire why the collation had not yet begun.
Oshiomhole also defended the governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, against criticisms about his limited command of English. He argued that Okpebholo’s ability to communicate with the electorate in their local dialect was more impactful than fluency in English.
“When you go to villages and speak the language of the people, it has more effect than speaking polished English,” Oshiomhole said. “Monday communicated with the Edo electorate, and that’s what mattered.”
Oshiomhole further dismissed the idea that Okpebholo’s absence from high-profile television appearances would affect his electoral chances, emphasizing that connecting with voters on the ground was more critical than media exposure.
The outcome of the Edo governorship election represents a significant shift in the state’s political landscape, with the APC reclaiming power and Obaseki’s influence waning after his candidate’s defeat. Oshiomhole, a former governor of the state, said the election was a free and fair reflection of the people’s will, signaling the end of Obaseki’s once-dominant hold on Edo politics.