Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has been inaugurated as the 5th Executive Governor of Edo State since 1999.
Okpebholo, who succeeds Godwin Obaseki, is the first Ishan governor in the state after it was excised from former Bendel State on August 27, 1991, and it also marks the return of the APC to Dennis Osadebe House.
Okpebholo took his oath of office shortly after midday at his inauguration ceremony held at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital.
The oath was administered by the Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa.
Hon. Denise Idahosa was also inaugurated as the Deputy Governor.
Outgone Governor Obaseki was conspicuously absent at the ceremony, but his estranged deputy and former ally, Philip Shaibu, was however present.
It would be recalled that Obaseki, who won his first term on the platform of the APC in 2016, defected to the PDP following a protracted crisis with his estranged godfather and predecessor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, in 2020.
Obaseki won his reelection but was unable to install his chosen candidate, Mr Asue Ighodalo as his successor in the September election.
Dignitaries including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo, and other governors from the APC were in attendance as Okpebholo took the oath of office.
Details later
