The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the election of Monday Okpebholo from the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of Edo State, confirming his victory in the election that took place on September 21, 2024.
In a ruling delivered yesterday, a three-judge panel of the appellate court unanimously determined that the appeal filed by Asue Ighodalo, the candidate representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, was without merit and subsequently dismissed it.
The court concluded that the appellants did not demonstrate that the election tribunal made any errors in its ruling and thus affirmed the tribunal’s decision issued on April 2.
In a judgment rendered by Justice M. A. Danjuma, the court dismissed the appeal lodged by the PDP and its candidate, Ighodalo, which sought to contest the results of the governorship election held in the state on September 21, 2024.
The appellate court stated that it found no justification to overturn the May 15 ruling of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which confirmed Okpebholo’s designation as the victor of the gubernatorial election.
It is noteworthy that the three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi dismissed, citing lack of merit, petitions from the PDP and its candidate, as well as those from the Action Alliance (AA) and its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, along with a case presented by the Accord Party (AP) and its candidate, Dr. Bright Enabulele.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, the petitioners approached the tribunal, claiming that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022.
Meanwhile, Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, announced on Thursday his intention to escalate his case to the apex court.
Additionally, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged Ighodalo to accept the judgment of the appellate court.
IN THE MEANTIME, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged Ighodalo to accept the ruling of the appellate court.
Wike, who is a prominent member of the PDP, stated that Ighodalo should, for the greater good of Edo State, “accept the ruling and let bygones be bygones.”
In a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, on Wednesday, Wike extended his congratulations to Okpebholo on the affirmation, encouraging him to “stay focused and dedicated to effective governance and the delivery of democratic benefits to the populace.”
Demonstrating confidence in the governor’s capacity to improve the state’s situation, Wike characterized the Appeal Court’s ruling as further validation of the mandate that was freely and sincerely bestowed upon Okpebholo by the citizens of Edo State.
