Edo State’s new Governor Monday Okpebholo was today Tuesday sworn into office as successor to outgoing Godwin Obaseki who governed for two terms from 2016 to 2024.
Okpebholo was sworn into office alongside his running mate Dennis Idahosa in a ceremony that took place at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital.
The new Governor said the Oba of Benin would remain the custodian of the artefacts stolen from the kingdom by the British in 1897 and returned recently.
Present at the ceremony were dignitaries including: Vice President Kashim Shettima who represented the President, Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, former Governor and current Edo North’s Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Imo State’s Governor Hope Uzodinma, Lagos State’s Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Ogun State’s Dapo Abiodun, All Progressives Congress APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, and others.
The return of the artefacts had sparked disagreements with Obaseki insisting on the state museum being the artefacts’ repository, while the Oba said the palace should retain them as they were originally stolen from the royal house by the British in the 19th century.
Okpebholo also planned to tackle insecurity marked by banditry and kidnapping and promised to embark on massive rehabilitation of roads.
In the polls contested by 14 candidates, Okpebholo defeated Asue Ighodalo of the state’s ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the off-cycle September 21 election.
The winner polled 291,667 to the rival PDP’s 247,274 votes.
Olumide Akpata who flew the flag of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 22,763 votes.
