The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Anthony Osarobo, has been declared the winner of the Ovia South West Local Government chairmanship election held on Saturday in Edo State.
Osarobo secured a total of 98,994 votes across the local government's 10 wards to defeat candidates from 11 other political parties.
The Returning Officer, Dr. Arodoye Nosakhare, announced the result at the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission (EDSIEC) Local Government Collation Centre, declaring the APC candidate duly elected after polling the highest number of valid votes.
"Following the collation of results from across the wards, the APC chairmanship candidate, having secured the majority of valid votes cast, is hereby declared elected," Nosakhare stated.
According to the official results, the Allied Peoples Movement polled 28 votes, Action Alliance recorded 42 votes, the African Action Congress received 32 votes, the Action Democratic Party secured 26 votes, the All Progressives Grand Alliance garnered 25 votes, another Allied Peoples Movement candidate polled five votes, the Action People's Party scored 12 votes, while the New Nigeria Peoples Party, Peoples Redemption Party and Young Progressives Party recorded one vote each. The Zenith Labour Party received 15 votes.
Osarobo, who at 30 becomes one of the youngest elected local government chairmen in Edo State, expressed appreciation to voters for their support.
He said he was honoured by the mandate given to him and pledged to justify the confidence reposed in him by working for the development and progress of Ovia South West Local Government.
Reacting to the outcome, the Edo State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Prof. Ikponmwonsa Omorodion, described the election as transparent and commended residents for their peaceful participation.
He congratulated the chairman-elect and expressed confidence that Osarobo would fulfil his campaign promises and deliver meaningful development to the people.
Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo praised residents for their participation in the local government election.
The governor, who voted at his Ward 2 polling unit at Udomi Primary School in Esan Central Local Government Area, described voter turnout as encouraging and commended the peaceful conduct of the exercise.
He also applauded the Edo State Independent Electoral Commission for the timely deployment of electoral officials, voting materials and security personnel.
Governor Okpebholo arrived at his polling unit at about 10:24 a.m., joined other voters in the queue and cast his ballot at approximately 10:40 a.m.
Speaking after voting, he said reports from across the state indicated that the election was progressing peacefully.
According to him, the exercise reflected grassroots democracy, with residents showing interest in electing leaders to oversee the affairs of their local governments.
The governor urged voters to remain peaceful throughout the process and await the official declaration of results by EDSIEC.
Election observers also gave positive assessments of the conduct of the poll.
The Executive Director of the Initiative for Awareness of Civic Education for Citizens, Comrade Fidelis Nwoke, said observer groups deployed across the state reported no major security incidents during voting.
He stated that his organisation monitored polling units in Udomi, Igueben and other locations, where the election was generally peaceful, orderly and smoothly conducted, with electoral officials arriving on time and voters casting their ballots without disruption.
Security personnel were present at polling centres visited by journalists, while voters queued calmly to exercise their civic rights.
At Udomi Primary School, where Governor Okpebholo voted, residents including Christopher Ejodamen, Timothy Uwaya and Lucky Okoawo said they cast their votes without intimidation or harassment.
They described the election as peaceful and transparent, adding that the atmosphere encouraged voter participation and strengthened confidence in grassroots democracy.
The voters also commended Governor Okpebholo's administration, saying ongoing infrastructure and development projects motivated many residents to participate in the election.
The local government election was conducted across all 18 local government areas of Edo State to elect chairmen and councillors.
Also speaking after casting his vote at Unit 20, Ward 6 in Egor Local Government Area, APC chieftain Hon. Crosby Eribo expressed confidence that the election would strengthen grassroots governance and democratic participation.
He called on political parties and their supporters to maintain peace throughout the electoral process and praised voters, electoral officials and security agencies for contributing to a smooth and orderly exercise.
Eribo also expressed optimism that the APC would emerge victorious, saying the party had maintained close ties with residents and delivered on its promises.
However, some residents disputed claims of high voter turnout across the state.
One resident, John Osaro, said turnout differed from one area to another, noting that while some polling units witnessed large numbers of voters, participation was relatively low in others.
He added that despite varying turnout, it was important for local government areas to have elected chairmen who would remain close to the people.
As of the time of filing this report, results from several other local government areas were still being awaited.
ADEOLA KUNLE
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