The Appeal Court in Abuja, in its judgment yesterday, upheld the earlier tribunal ruling, validating the mandate of Governor Okpebholo.
The court, in a judgement by a three-member panel led by Justice M.A Danjuma, dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP and its candidate, Ighodalo, to challenge the election outcome.
The appellate court held that it found no reason to dislodge the May 15 judgement of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which validated the declaration of Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the poll.
However, Ighodalo has vowed to appeal the judgement at the Supreme Court.
In a statement yesterday in Benin, Okpebholo stated that the verdict reaffirmed the will of the Edo people and signalled to all political actors, especially Ighodalo, to set aside their politics for the state’s progress.
Okpebholo praised the judiciary’s integrity, describing the ruling as a victory not just for APC but for democracy and the rule of law in Edo.
He urged Ighodalo and the opposition to reflect deeply on the judgment, adding that prolonged litigation distracts the incumbent from delivering good governance to the people.
Okpebholo reaffirmed his open-door policy, stating that Edo’s development remained the top priority, above all partisan interests and political affiliations.
“Now is the time for statesmanship, he said, noting that the legal process had been exhausted, and the verdict was final and binding,” he said.
The governor noted that he remained committed to his people’s first agenda, focusing on infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic empowerment across the state.
He called on citizens to remain peaceful and law-abiding, promising that his administration would intensify its people-centred development programmes with renewed energy.
With the legal battle now settled, Okpebholo reiterated that his government was ready to serve all Edo residents without exception or discrimination.
