President Bola Tinubu has extended his congratulations to Monday Okpebholo of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) for his victory in the Edo State governorship election held on Saturday.

Okpebholo, aged 54, won with 291,667 votes, defeating Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP), who finished third with 22,763 votes. Fourteen other candidates participated but trailed behind the top contenders.

In a statement released on Sunday by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu urged Okpebholo to view his victory not as a moment for celebration but as a serious "call to service." The President advised him to show leadership by extending an olive branch to his political opponents and working to unify the people of Edo State for the progress of the region.

Tinubu also commended the other candidates for their participation, acknowledging their role in promoting Nigeria's democracy. He emphasized that peaceful elections, like the one held on Saturday, reflect the strength of the country's democratic system.

The President encouraged any dissatisfied parties to pursue legal remedies and praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for ensuring a smooth, peaceful, and largely problem-free election. He further noted that INEC continues to demonstrate its commitment to organizing free and fair elections across the nation.