Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has revealed that he experienced a spiritual battle following his victory in the September 21, 2024 governorship election. During a Thanksgiving Service at the Samuel Ogbumudia Stadium in Benin City on Thursday, Okpebholo shared his personal account of the challenges he faced in the lead-up to his electoral success and the divine intervention he believes helped him overcome them.
In his speech, Okpebholo described how, despite widespread media criticism and opposition, he turned to God for guidance during the election period. “I want to thank God. In this last election, while I was praising God, they were busy operating from television. They were busy operating from social media. They were busy operating from other television stations,” he said, referring to his critics who took to various platforms to undermine his candidacy. The governor emphasized that while others relied on media campaigns to discredit him, he focused on prayer and faith.
The governor recounted how, just days before the election, some of his opponents even labeled him “crazy” for engaging in prayerful thanksgiving. “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,” Okpebholo stated. He attributed his eventual victory to divine guidance, claiming that his faith in God led him to triumph despite the odds.
Okpebholo’s victory in the election was a hard-fought battle. He secured 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who garnered 247,274 votes. Despite the intense political rivalry, Okpebholo made it clear that his victory was not just a political win but a testament to his trust in God’s power. He told the crowd that his unwavering faith played a central role in overcoming the difficulties leading up to the election results.
However, the most startling part of the governor’s testimony came after the election results were announced. According to Okpebholo, the morning after the election, he entered his room to find a dead bat lying on his bed, which he interpreted as a sign of spiritual opposition. “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,” Okpebholo recalled, describing the eerie moment. Despite the ominous discovery, he credited the “spirit of God” for his protection, stating, “But, the spirit of God was there. The arrow of God; The hand of God delivered me.”
The governor’s description of the incident was met with mixed reactions from the audience, but he remained firm in his belief that his spiritual faith played a crucial role in his victory. He expressed deep gratitude to those who supported him, particularly the religious leaders who “stood in the gap” for him during the challenging period. “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,” Okpebholo said.
In his closing remarks, the governor offered advice to Nigerians, urging them to trust in God in all circumstances, no matter how difficult life may seem. “And I will give you one advice – trust in God alone because he will do it for you,” he said, underscoring the central theme of his message: faith in God as a source of strength and deliverance.
Okpebholo, who ran as the candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), was inaugurated as the governor of Edo State following his electoral success. His victory marks a significant moment in the state’s political landscape, and his reflections on faith, divine protection, and perseverance continue to resonate with many of his supporters.
