By Vincent Egunyanga, Cross Udo, David Lawani, and Ben Adoga, with agency reports
The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday brought final closure to the legal tussle over the September 2024 Edo State governorship election by affirming Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor.
Delivering a unanimous judgment, the five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Lawal Garba, dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, for lacking merit.
The court held that the PDP failed to prove its allegations of over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and other irregularities. The justices ruled that Ighodalo challenged the election outcome in only 395 of the 4,519 polling units, and the testimonies of his 19 witnesses at the Tribunal stage did not substantially support the claims of electoral malpractice.
The ruling upholds previous verdicts of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, both of which had declared Okpebholo the valid winner of the election.
*It’s a call to duty, says Edo gov
Reacting to the judgment, Governor Okpebholo described the Supreme Court’s decision as “a solemn reaffirmation of the sacred mandate freely given by the people of Edo State.”
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Okpebholo said the ruling is not merely a personal legal victory but a call to “higher service, unity, and shared progress.”
He thanked the judiciary for its courage and the people of Edo State for their support, patience, and faith in democracy.
“The elections are over. The real work of governance and healing must begin,” Okpebholo declared. “I extend an olive branch to my opponents and all political actors. It is time to set aside our differences and build a greater Edo together.”
Reaffirming his administration’s developmental priorities—security, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, and job creation—Okpebholo promised to lead with “humility, compassion, and accountability.”
*Tinubu, Wike, APC celebrate victory
President Bola Tinubu congratulated Okpebholo, urging him to be magnanimous in victory and focus on delivering quality governance.
According to a statement by his media aide, Bayo Onanuga, the President called for unity across political divides and emphasized the need to fast-track development in Edo State.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also praised the verdict, describing it as the final confirmation of the people’s will. He called on all political stakeholders in Edo to rally behind the governor for the state’s growth and stability.
Similarly, the All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomed the judgement of the Supreme Court, affirming Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo state in the 2024 governorship election.
In a statement by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, it said, “Our great party congratulates Governor Okpebholo on this historic victory. We thank our teeming members, supporters and the good people of Edo state for their steadfast support during this legal challenge.
“We commend the judiciary for its dedication, professionalism and commitment to the rule of law, constitutional order and defence of electoral democracy as demonstrated in the adjudication of this matter.
“With this final judicial affirmation, Governor Okpebholo is now poised to expand and consolidate on the monumental development strides he has started since his inauguration as Governor.
“We urge all concerned parties, particularly the opposition contenders, to join hands with Governor Okpebholo as he works to deliver good governance and development for the shared progress of Edo state and people.”
*Ighodalo: ‘I was robbed’
Meanwhile, the candidate of the PDP in the election, Asue Ighodalo, also voiced intense disappointment, saying he felt betrayed by the very institutions expected to protect democracy.
In a passionate statement, Ighodalo alleged that the September 2024 election was not a genuine contest but “a coordinated robbery, now tragically validated by the apex court.”
While respecting the court’s authority, he said, “I cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice.” He called on the people of Edo to remain hopeful, vowing that the “struggle to reclaim the soul of our state continues.”
*Obaseki: Verdict portends danger for democracy
A former governor, Godwin Obaseki, however, condemned the judgment, warning that the judicial validation of the election could erode public confidence in the democratic process.
Obaseki said although he and his party accept the verdict as law-abiding citizens, they disagree with it and believe that the results of the election were manipulated.
“The iconic manner in which the election was manipulated, coupled with the judicial validation it has received, portends grave danger for Nigeria’s democracy,” Obaseki said in a statement from Benin.
