The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has rejected the ruling of the Court of Appeal which affirmed the election of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected governor.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, Ighodalo expressed disappointment with the appellate court’s decision, accusing the judiciary of failing to address what he described as “widespread acts of non-compliance” and “clear violations of the Electoral Act” during the September 21 poll.
“The judgment, like that of the Election Tribunal, regrettably ignored the material facts and instead validated what many believe to be a dangerous pattern of electoral impunity,” Ighodalo said.
He maintained that his campaign had never been motivated by personal ambition, but by a commitment to ensuring that the people of Edo State are allowed to choose their leaders through a transparent and credible electoral process.
“It has always been about standing with the people of Edo State and defending their sacred right to freely choose their leaders,” he said, adding that the appeal to the Supreme Court would be filed without delay.
Ighodalo said he remained confident that the Supreme Court would uphold democratic principles and restore public confidence in the electoral process. He urged his supporters to stay calm and law-abiding, while maintaining vigilance and faith in the rule of law.
“The eyes of Edo people, and indeed all Nigerians, now look up to the Supreme Court with hope,” he added.
The Court of Appeal ruling, delivered earlier this week, dismissed Ighodalo’s petition and upheld the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) declaration of Okpebholo as the winner. The judgment followed months of legal battle since the election, which saw the APC candidate secure a narrow victory over his PDP rival.
With the latest development, all attention now shifts to Nigeria’s Supreme Court, which will have the final say in the high-stakes political contest that has gripped Edo State.
