S’Court Upholds Okpebholo’s Election As Edo Gov – Asue Ighodalo Accepts Verdict

The Supreme Court has affirmed Senator Monday Okpebholo’s election as the legitimate Governor of Edo State.

Gatekeepers News reports that in a unanimous judgement delivered on Thursday, a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba dismissed the appeal filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Ighodalo, represented by his counsel Ken Mosia, had urged the apex court to annul Okpebholo’s victory and declare him winner of the September 2024 governorship election, claiming he garnered the majority of valid votes cast.

However, Kanu Agabi, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urged the court to reject the appeal in its entirety.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Garba noted that the appellants failed to present credible evidence proving that Okpebholo did not secure valid votes during the election.

He said, “ The appeal is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit and the judgement affirms the decision of the tribunal and court of appeal.”

Responding to the ruling, Ighodalo accepted the Supreme Court’s final authority but expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome.

He said, “Though I accept the finality of its judgment, I do not and cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice,” the governorship candidate wrote in a statement he posted on X shortly after the verdict was delivered Thursday.”

“What happened in the September 2024 Governorship Election was not a contest. It was a robbery. Coordinated. Deliberate. And now, tragically validated by the highest court in the land. While I will not and can not obstruct any judicial pronouncement, no matter how flawed, I must never fear to speak truth to power.”