ABUJA – The Supreme Court has upheld the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, putting an end to months of legal contestations following the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The verdict, delivered on Tuesday, affirmed the rulings of both the tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba ruled that the appeal lacked merit, noting that the petitioners failed to prove allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act and over-voting. The court ordered all parties to bear their litigation costs.
Ighodalo Rejects Verdict, Labels It ‘Robbery’
Reacting to the ruling, PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo expressed disappointment, describing the election and its judicial validation as a “robbery.” He accused key institutions of failing to protect the people’s mandate and warned that the “illegitimacy” of the process would likely result in poor governance.
“What happened was not a contest. It was a robbery — coordinated, deliberate, and now tragically validated by the highest court in the land,” Ighodalo said.
Despite the setback, he urged his supporters to remain hopeful and committed to the cause of justice and good governance.
Okpebholo, APC Celebrate Legal Victory
Governor Monday Okpebholo, through his Chief Press Secretary Fred Itua, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a “landmark judgment” and a reaffirmation of the people’s mandate. He pledged to use the opportunity to unite the state and accelerate development.
President Bola Tinubu also congratulated the governor and urged him to be magnanimous in victory. “Rally the citizens of Edo across divides towards a singular vision of advancing the state’s development,” the president said in a statement.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, hailed the ruling as a victory for democracy and commended the judiciary for its professionalism.
Obaseki Decries Judgment as Threat to Democracy
Former Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, criticised the Supreme Court verdict, saying it poses a grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy. He expressed disappointment over the courts’ decisions and accused INEC of manipulating the poll.
Obaseki said, “The iconic manner in which the election was manipulated, coupled with the judicial validation it has received, portends grave danger for Nigeria’s democracy.”
Calls for Electoral Reform
Meanwhile, the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC) has proposed a constitutional amendment to delay the swearing-in of elected officials until the conclusion of all related litigations. PLAC Executive Director Clement Nwankwo said this would prevent the misuse of state resources by incumbents defending contested victories.
Southern Governors, Wike React
Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, welcomed the ruling as a validation of the people’s will. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike also praised the verdict and called on Ighodalo to support the governor in the interest of Edo’s progress.
PDP Accepts Verdict ‘With Grace and Dignity’
In a conciliatory tone, the Edo PDP, through its Caretaker Committee Chairman, Dr Tony Aziegbemi, said the party respects the court’s decision and remains hopeful for the future.
“Though the judgment did not go in our favour, we accept it with grace and dignity,” he said.
Governor Okpebholo won the September 2024 election with 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo polled 247,655 votes. With the legal battle now concluded, attention is expected to shift to governance and the fulfilment of campaign promises.
