Ighodalo Rejects Supreme Court Ruling Affirming Okpebholo’s Victory
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has rejected the Supreme Court ruling affirming Monday Okpebholo’s victory, describing the judgment as a “tragedy” and a “betrayal of democracy.”
In a statement titled “Final Statement on the Supreme Court Judgement in the Edo Governorship Election Petition” released on Thursday, Ighodalo accused the apex court of legitimising what he called an electoral robbery.
Though he acknowledged the finality of the court’s ruling, Ighodalo said the judgment amounted to injustice.
“This was not an election. It was a robbery. Coordinated. Deliberate. And now, tragically validated by the highest court in the land,” he said.
The Supreme Court had earlier dismissed the appeal filed by Ighodalo and the PDP, with a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba ruling that the petitioners failed to prove their case.
The court upheld the earlier decisions of the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal, both of which affirmed Okpebholo’s win.
Reacting, Ighodalo said the people’s will had been disregarded and democratic institutions had failed Edo.
“Like you, I feel a deep sense of betrayal. Not just by those who rigged the process, but by the very institutions we trusted to protect our democracy.
“You came out in hope. You voted for competence, for progress, for prosperity. And now, we are told your voice does not matter. That your freely given mandate can be trampled without consequence,” he said.
He urged his supporters not to lose hope, warning that Edo would suffer under what he called an illegitimate leadership.
“The weight of this illegitimacy will, unfortunately, echo beyond the halls of the Supreme Court. I fear Edo will feel it in the absence of leadership, in the poverty of policy, and in the daily suffering of her people.
“To those who now hold power undeserved, lead with humility. Govern with conscience. History sees what the courts may not. And one day, it will deliver its own verdict,” he said.
This marks the second time Ighodalo has challenged Okpebholo’s election.
His earlier appeal at the Court of Appeal was also dismissed for lacking merit.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
