The incumbent PDP governor, Godwin Obaseki, was ineligible to contest for re-election, having already served two terms as allowed by the constitution of Nigeria.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on 22 September 2024.

His tenure was marked by a shift from the APC to the PDP, and his exit from the political scene in Edo State paved the way for a highly contested election.

[3] The PDP primary was held on 22 February 2024, with lawyer and businessman Asue Ighodalo emerging as the party's candidate after securing 99.83% of the vote.

Okpebholo, a senator representing Edo Central senatorial district since 2023, ran on a platform to continue the developmental projects initiated by former governor Adams Oshiomhole.