EDO GUBER ELECTION: Okpebholo Wins At Appeal Court, Urges Ighodalo To Accept Judgement; Stop Abusing Court Processes

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, affirmed Mr Monday Okpebholo as duly elected governor in the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election held in Edo.

The court, in a judgement by a three-member panel led by Justice M. A. Danjuma, dismissed an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to challenge the election outcome.

The appellate court held that it found no reason to dislodge the April 2, judgement of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which validated the declaration of Gov. Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as winner of the poll.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member Edo Election Tribunal panel had eatlier dismissed the petitions by the PDP and its candidate; the Action Alliance (AA) and its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje; as well as a case that was brought before it by the Accord Party (AP) and its own candidate, Dr. Bright Enabulele.

The tribunal described the petitions as “lacking in merit.”

The tribunal held that it found no reason to nullify the outcome of the governorship election declared in favour of the APC and its candidate, Okpebholo.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had declared that Monday Okpebholo of the APC secured a total of 291, 667 votes to defeat his closet rivalry, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who got a total of 247, 655 votes.

Dissatisfied with the result, the petitioners approached the tribunal, alleging that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.

In the petition marked: EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, PDP and its candidate alleged that governor Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes that were cast at the election.

It was equally the contention of the petitioners that INEC failed to serialize and pre-record some of the sensitive materials that were deployed for the poll, a situation they said aided the rigging of the election in favour of the APC and its candidate.

Specifically, PDP and its candidate alleged that there was wrong computation of results in 765 polling units in the state, even as they produced 19 witnesses that testified and tendered exhibits before the tribunal.

The Appellate Court however upheld the ruling of the Tribunal by reaffirming Governor Monday Okpebholo's victory.

However, Ighodalo has vowed to appeal the judgement at the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile and in a related development, Edo state governor, Sen. Monday Okpebholo has urged his closest at the Sept 21, 2024 gubernatorial election, Mr. Asue Ighodalo to accept the Appeal Court judgment and stop what he described as "abusing court processes" with any further litigation on the matter.

This admonition which was contained in a News Release signed by Owaen Fred Itua, Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor and issued on Thursday, 29 May, 2025, reads:

PRESS RELEASE NO.123/EDSGH/2025 

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR

EDO STATE GOVERNMENT

APPEAL COURT: GOV OKPEBHOLO TELLS ASUE IGHODALO TO ACCEPT JUDGMENT, STOP ABUSE OF COURT PROCESSES

Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has called on the defeated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 21st September, 2024 governorship election in Edo State, Mr. Asue Ighodalo to accept Thursday's judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed the victory of His Excellency.

The Court of Appeal, in its well-considered judgment delivered on Thursday, meticulously reviewed the arguments presented by all parties and ultimately upheld the decision of the lower tribunal, validating the overwhelming mandate freely given to him by the people of Edo State.

This judgment, being a confirmation of the people's will, should serve as a clear signal for all political actors, especially Asue Ighodalo, who has since been abandoned by his political godfather, Godwin Obaseki, to set aside partisan differences and join hands with the administration to build a more prosperous Edo State.

"Governor Monday Okpebholo commends the judiciary for its diligence and commitment to justice, and for once again demonstrating its role as the last hope of the common man. This ruling is not just a victory for our party, the ruling All Progressives Congress, but a triumph for democracy and the rule of law in our Edo State."

Governor Okpebholo urges the opposition and abandoned Asue Ighodalo to reflect on the judgment, noting that prolonged litigation only serves to distract from the urgent task of governance and delivering the dividends of democracy to the people.

"His Excellency, Governor Monday Okpebholo has consistently extended an olive branch to all, irrespective of political leanings, emphasizing that the development of our dear State remains paramount. He reiterates this call. Now is the time to embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and statesmanship. The legal process has run its course, and the judgment of the Court of Appeal is clear."

Governor Okpebholo assures the people of Edo State that he remains fully committed to his "People First" agenda, which is focused on accelerated development across all sectors, including infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment.

"The administration of Governor Okpebholo urges all well-meaning citizens to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities. The Government of Governor Monday Okpebholo is re-energized by this affirmation of its mandate and will continue to work tirelessly to serve the best interests of every resident of Edo State."

Signed:

Owaen Fred Itua ,

The Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor.

Thursday, 29 May, 2025.