A three- member panel of Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday unanimously affirmed the election of Monday Okpebholo as the Governor of Edo State in the 21 September 2024 election.
The ruling by the three-member panel was an affirmation of the earlier decision of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that validated the victory of Okpebholo.
The appellate court dismissed the appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in the election Asue Ighodalo.
Okpebholo who contested on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) scored 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo who garnered 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party (LP) with 22,763 votes to win the election contested by a total of 17 candidates.
Meanwhile Okpebholo, has called on Ighodalo to accept Thursday’s judgment of the Court of Appeal, which affirmed his victory
Fred Itua, the spokesperson of the governor in a statement issued after the court of Appeal verdict.
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.
