By Jeremy Fregene
The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected Governor of Edo State, dismissing the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Garba Lawal, who led a five-man panel, held that the appellants failed to substantiate claims of widespread electoral irregularities, unlawful votes, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. The court affirmed the concurrent decisions of the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, declaring the appeal “lacking in merit.”
The judgment brings to a close an 11-month legal battle that began after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo winner of the September 21, 2024, governorship election. Okpebholo polled 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo who secured 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata trailed with 22,763 votes.
Despite the outcome, Ighodalo reacted with sharp disappointment, expressing what he described as a “deep sense of betrayal” by the judiciary. In a statement issued shortly after the ruling, he said, “Though I accept the finality of the judgment, I do not and cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice.”
Describing the election as a “coordinated robbery” that had now been “tragically validated” by the apex court, Ighodalo lamented the erosion of democratic faith. “You came out in hope. You voted for competence, for progress, for prosperity — and now you are told your voice does not matter,” he wrote, addressing his supporters. “I feel your pain. I share your anger. I will never forget your courage.”
In a similar tone, outgoing Governor Godwin Obaseki also decried the judgment, calling it a “grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy.” In a statement from Benin City, Obaseki reiterated his belief that the PDP and Ighodalo won the election but were denied justice. “Though we strongly disagree with the decision of the Supreme Court, as law-abiding citizens, we must respect it,” he said, adding, “Only God knows the right time and way to deliver justice and redemption.”
Governor Okpebholo, meanwhile, celebrated the victory with a call for unity and reconciliation. In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor extended “a sincere olive branch to all opponents and members of the opposition,” urging political leaders to set aside differences and “march forward — united in purpose, anchored in peace, and driven by a shared vision of progress.”
“The elections are over. The real work of governance and healing must begin,” the statement added, declaring the verdict a “shared triumph for every Edo citizen.”
The ruling also drew reactions from top national leaders. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulated Governor Okpebholo, describing the court’s affirmation as “a boost for governance” and a validation of democratic choice. A statement by Presidential Spokesperson Bayo Onanuga quoted Tinubu as urging Okpebholo to be magnanimous in victory and focus on delivering good governance. “Now that the legal hurdles are cleared, it is time to accelerate service delivery to the good people of Edo,” Tinubu said.
Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, also welcomed the ruling, calling it “well-deserved” and a “victory for democracy.” In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, Abiodun said, “The verdict reaffirms the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo’s mandate and puts to rest any insinuations about the credibility of the election.”
He added that the ruling now provides Okpebholo the space to focus on the people’s expectations. “There is no doubt that this victory represents the arrival of good things for the great people of Edo State,” Abiodun said.