Edo North Senator and former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, has credited the reserved campaign approach of governor-elect, Monday Okpebholo, for his victory in the September 21, 2024, Edo governorship election.
Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today* program on Monday, Oshiomhole dismissed concerns about Okpebholo’s absence from media interviews, stating that television appearances are often overrated. He emphasized that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate’s decision to avoid TV debates and interviews was part of a strategic plan that resonated with the electorate.
“Our strategy worked, which is why the people voted. When a man goes to a village and speaks his dialect, it has more impact than when you speak high-profile English,” Oshiomhole said, highlighting the effectiveness of grassroots communication over media-driven campaigns.
Oshiomhole downplayed the necessity of television appearances, suggesting that Okpebholo’s direct engagement with the people proved more effective than addressing audiences through traditional media. He further clarified his role in the campaign, noting that he focused on showcasing Okpebholo’s qualities and future plans for the state.
“You are saying I was the face of the campaign, whatever that means. But what makes me the face? Maybe because I was speaking to the quality of Monday. He has to justify those who voted for him. He has to communicate what he will do differently, and that’s what he did.”
Oshiomhole also suggested that radio, rather than television, was a more effective medium for reaching voters in Edo State, considering the local context.
Monday Okpebholo was officially declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday, securing 291,667 votes. His closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), received 247,274 votes, while Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata garnered 22,763 votes.
This victory marks a return to power for the APC in Edo State, which lost control in 2020 after Governor Godwin Obaseki defected to the PDP following a fallout with Oshiomhole. Obaseki, whose tenure ends in November 2024, supported Ighodalo in the recent election.
