‘I found a dead bat on my bed’ — Okpebholo recounts how he became Edo governor

• The Edo governorship election was September 21, 2024.
• The governor disclosed that he did not consult any native doctor or prophet or visit any diviner or shrine to seek help for help throughout the period of his electioneering.

Monday Okpebholo has recounted how he became governor of Edo state.

Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the state off-cycle governorship election held on September 21.

He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 247,274 votes, while Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 22,763 votes.

Okpebholo later took his oath of office on Tuesday at the inauguration ceremony in Benin, the state capital.

However, in a statement on Thursday, Fred Itua, his chief press secretary, Okpebholo attributed his emergence to the grace of God, constant prayers, and the support of Edo people.

The governor gave his testimony at his post-swearing-in thanksgiving service in Benin city, urging Nigerians to trust God amidst life’s challenges.

Okpebholo said he “found a dead bat on his bed” ahead of the pronouncement of the election results, without any “prior spiritual consultations or seeking help from native doctors.”

“I want to thank God. In this last election, while I was praising God, they (traducers) were busy operating from television,” he remarked.

“They were busy operating from social media. They were busy operating from other television stations.

“But, I took the battle to God because I knew the secret. A few days to the election, they said I was crazy. We gathered to praise God in this State.

“They said, “What is he doing?” They were there on TV. But, I was listening to the voice of God. I won the battle.

“After the election on Sunday morning, I came to my room. I met a bat had died on my bed, without me shooting any arrow.

“But, the spirit of God was there. The arrow of God; The hand of God delivered me.

“I am grateful to the men of God that stood in the gap. I am grateful to those who believed that with God, all things are possible. And I will give you one advice- trust in God alone because he will do it for you.”