EXTRA: ‘I met a dead bat on my bed’ — Okpebholo recounts how he won Edo guber poll

Monday Okpebholo says he battled principalities and powers on his way to becoming governor of Edo. 

Okpebholo, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared winner of the September 21 governorship election.

He polled 291,667 votes to defeat Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who garnered 247,274 votes.

Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) came third with 22,763 votes.

Okpebholo took his oath of office on Tuesday in Benin City.

In a statement issued on Thursday by Fred Itua, his chief press secretary, Okpebholo attributed his electoral conquest to the grace of God, constant prayers, and the support of the people.

The governor spoke at his post-swearing-in thanksgiving service in Benin.

Okpebholo said he “found a dead bat on his bed” hours before the electoral umpire called the election for him — without “prior spiritual consultations or help from native doctors”.

“I want to thank God. In this last election, while I was praising God, the traducers were busy operating from television,” he said.

“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.”