The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld Monday Okpebholo’s election as Edo State Governor, throwing out the appeal filed by PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo. This decision reaffirms Okpebholo’s position as the legitimate winner of the September 2024 governorship election.
Justice Mohammed Danjuma, leading a three-member panel, ruled that Ighodalo’s appeal lacked merit. The court also found no error in the judgment of the election tribunal, which earlier dismissed Ighodalo’s case.
“The appeal is unmeritorious and hereby dismissed,” the justices ruled. With this judgment, the appeal court has put to rest months of legal tussle—at least for now.
Ighodalo Heads to Supreme Court
Despite the ruling, Ighodalo rejected the decision and vowed to approach the Supreme Court. He insisted that the Court of Appeal failed to deliver justice and that the legal battle was far from over.
During the election, Okpebholo of the APC polled 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo who got 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata trailed far behind with 22,763 votes.
The APC secured a majority of the 18 local government areas, dominating two out of three key senatorial zones, which helped Okpebholo clinch victory. INEC declared him winner, and he was sworn in on November 12, 2024.
Appeal Court Upholds Okpebholo’s Election Victory as Tribunal’s Reasoning Stands
The election tribunal had earlier dismissed Ighodalo’s petition, stating that his legal team failed to provide strong evidence. The panel ruled that they did not call credible witnesses like presiding officers or voters to prove electoral malpractice.
Justice Wilfred Kpochi, who delivered the lead judgment at the tribunal, stated clearly: “You cannot prove non-compliance without solid witnesses from the field.”
The appeal court upheld that stance. According to the justices, the tribunal’s position was valid and rooted in law. Once again, the lack of concrete evidence became Ighodalo’s undoing.
Appeal Court Upholds Okpebholo’s Election Victory
The Appeal Court upholding Okpebholo’s election victory has set a tone for the final battle at the Supreme Court. While APC supporters are celebrating, PDP loyalists are gearing up for what may be a drawn-out legal war.
For now, Monday Okpebholo retains his seat at the Dennis Osadebe House, but the political heat around this governorship race is far from cooling. All eyes now shift to the Supreme Court, the last bus stop in this battle for Edo.
