In a surprising move that has caused ripples within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Blessing Agbebaku, has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo on his victory in the recently concluded governorship election.
The Speaker’s congratulatory message, delivered during the Assembly’s plenary session on Wednesday, came despite the PDP’s refusal to acknowledge Okpebholo’s victory.
Agbebaku, a member of the PDP, defied the party’s stance by acknowledging the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate’s win. He also advised the governor-elect to be cautious of sycophants who may attempt to mislead him as he prepares to take office.
“The governor-elect is for Edo people and not for the All Progressives Congress alone,” Agbebaku said during his speech. “I pray that sycophants do not mislead him.”
This statement marks a notable departure from the position of other PDP members in Edo, including the defeated PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo, who have refused to accept the election results.
Senator Monday Okpebholo, the APC candidate, won the governorship election with 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes.
However, the PDP leadership in Edo State has alleged widespread rigging and manipulation in favour of the APC. The party has declared that it will not recognize Okpebholo as the governor-elect.
In a post-election statement, Ighodalo and other PDP leaders claimed that the election was neither free nor fair. They have vowed to challenge the results in court, alleging voter suppression, intimidation, and vote-buying.
Despite this, Agbebaku’s decision to congratulate Okpebholo has created tension within the party, as the Speaker is seen as breaking ranks with the official party line.
Agbebaku, representing the Owan West constituency in the State House of Assembly, maintained that the governor-elect’s victory is a win for all Edo people, regardless of their political affiliation.
“The governor-elect is for all Edo people, not just for APC,” Agbebaku said during the plenary session.
His statement is seen as a call for unity in the state, urging political stakeholders and citizens to come together for the benefit of Edo, despite party differences.
Agbebaku’s comments also reflect his hopes for the incoming administration to steer clear of political sycophants, who often seek personal gain at the expense of good governance.
He emphasized the need for Okpebholo to focus on delivering on his campaign promises without allowing himself to be distracted by individuals seeking to advance their own interests.
In another development during the plenary session, the Edo State House of Assembly announced the recall of two lawmakers who had been suspended earlier in the year.
Donald Okogbe (PDP-Akoko-Edo II) and Adeh Isibor (APC-Esan North-East I) were suspended on May 6, 2024, along with Bright Iyamu (Orhionmwon South), for allegedly plotting to impeach Speaker Agbebaku and other principal officers of the Assembly.
Iyamu was recalled in June after being found remorseful, according to Agbebaku.
At the Wednesday session, Agbebaku confirmed that the Assembly had reached an agreement to lift the suspension on Okogbe and Isibor, allowing them to resume their legislative duties.
The Speaker thanked members for their continued dedication and commitment to their legislative responsibilities during a long recess.
“I welcome you all back from a very long recess, and I want to thank you for diligently carrying out your duties to ensure the passage of impactful bills and resolutions,” Agbebaku said.
The recall of the suspended lawmakers signals an effort by the Edo Assembly to restore unity and focus on governance, particularly as the state transitions into a new administration under the leadership of Okpebholo.
As the governor-elect prepares to take office, political observers are watching closely to see how he will navigate the challenging political terrain in Edo State.
Okpebholo’s victory is seen as a significant achievement for the APC, which had faced stiff competition from the PDP in Edo, a state traditionally dominated by the opposition party.
However, the lingering bitterness over the election results and the PDP’s refusal to accept his victory suggest that Okpebholo may face considerable opposition as he assumes leadership.
Political analysts predict that the court battles over the election results could delay the governor-elect’s ability to focus fully on his agenda for Edo.
Nevertheless, Okpebholo has promised to work for the good of all Edo people, irrespective of their political affiliations, vowing to focus on economic growth, infrastructure development, and job creation in the state.
During his post-election speech, the governor-elect said, “This victory is not for me alone, but for every Edo citizen who believes in progress and development. I will serve all the people of this state to the best of my ability.”
