Former Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has described the judicial validation of the 2024 governorship election held in Edo as a grave danger to Nigeria’s democracy.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Benin, Obaseki reacted to the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo.
According to him, the matter will be left in God’s hands, expressing faith that only God knows the right time and way to deliver justice and redemption to the people of Edo.
“I am profoundly grateful to the good people of Edo State and Nigerians for their overwhelming support accorded our party, PDP.
“And Its candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, who we believed won the Edo Governorship Election, which took place on Sept. 21, 2024.
“It is based on this conviction and our belief that the results were manipulated that we took steps to seek legal redress.
“Beginning with the election petition tribunal, then the Court of Appeal, and finally, the Supreme Court. But unfortunately, and most surprisingly, all the courts have ruled against us.
“Although we strongly disagree with the decision of the Supreme Court, but as adherents to the rule of law, we are bound by their verdict,” he said.
He said: “We want to caution that the iconic manner in which the election was manipulated, coupled with the judicial validation it has received, portends grave danger for Nigeria’s democracy.”
Obaseki, however, encouraged Edo people to keep hope alive as they persisted in the struggle to redeem their fatherland.
Tinubu urges Okpebholo to leverage Supreme Court victory for accelerated devt
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Gov. Monday Okpebholo of Edo on his Supreme Court victory, urging him to use it as a boost to fast-track development in the state.
This is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga on Thursday in Abuja.
Tinubu welcomed the court’s verdict as a boost for governance, urging the governor to be magnanimous in victory and unite all Edo citizens behind a shared vision for progress.
“Now that the governor has cleared the legal hurdles, it is time for him to accelerate the delivery of exceptional services and good governance to the people of Edo State, which he has already begun to do,” Tinub said.
He also congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, calling for unity and commitment to the people’s mandate.
In a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, the apex court dismissed as lacking in merit, an appeal the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Asuerinme Ighodalo, filed to nullify the outcome of the governorship election held in the state on Sept. 21, 2024.
According to the Supreme Court, it found no reason to set aside the concurrent judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which returned Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, as the valid winner of the gubernatorial contest.
It noted that the Appellant failed to adduce credible and admissible evidence to substantiate his claim that the election was marred by irregularities that included over-voting and substantial non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.
Likewise, it held that the Appellant failed to call relevant witnesses to demonstrate some of the evidence he tendered in support of his case, especially the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS, machines.
Supreme Court judgment a call to higher service – Okpebholo
Reacting, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo on Thursday described the Supreme Court judgment affirming his election as a higher call to service and unity of the state.
The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed Okpebholo as the duly elected governor in the Sept. 2024, Edo governorship election.
In a statement in Benin, Okpebholo noted that the victory signalled the beginning of a fresh chapter rooted in unity, inclusiveness, and accelerated development.
He extended profound gratitude to the judiciary for its courage and commitment to justice.
Okpebholo emphasised his commitment to lead with humility, compassion, and accountability.
“My administration remains fully committed to its developmental blueprint prioritising security, infrastructure, education, agriculture, healthcare, youth empowerment, and job creation.
“The focus remains clear to deliver tangible benefits that uplift lives and restore confidence in public leadership.
Okpebholo, however, extended the olive branch to all his opponents, adding that the elections were over governance, and the healing process must begin.
He urged political leaders across party lines to rise above division, and contribute constructively to the task of building a greater Edo.
“Constructive criticism and diverse perspectives will always be welcomed, but they must be rooted in a sincere desire to see Edo thrive.
“Edo belongs to all of us. The time has come to set aside our differences, close ranks, and march forward united in purpose and anchored in peace.
Edo poll: I feel betrayed by Supreme Court judgment – Ighodalo
Mr Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s Candidate in the September 2024 governorship election in Edo, says he feels a deep sense of betrayal in the Supreme Court judgment delivered today.
Ighodalo, in his reaction to the apex court verdict, on Thursday, said though he accepted the finality of the judgment, “I do not and cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice.”
He spoke in a statement he personally signed and a copy made available to NAN in Abuja.
“My dear people of Edo State, today, the Supreme Court has ruled. What happened in the September 2024 Governorship Election was not a contest.
“It was a robbery. Coordinated. Deliberate. And now, tragically validated by the highest court in the land.
“While I will not and can not obstruct any judicial pronouncement, no matter how flawed, I must never fear to speak truth to power,” he said.
According to him, 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 tor competence, for progress, for prosperity. And now, we are told that your voice does not matter.
“That your freely given mandate can be trampled without consequence. I feel your pain. I share your anger. And I will never forget your courage. To every young person who saw in this moment the birth of a new Edo.
“To every elder who longed to see our state rise again. To every woman and man who prayed, campaigned, and voted. We may not have won the office, but we won something greater. We found one another. We discovered our collective strength. Though this painful chapter closes today, our beautiful story does not end,” he said.
Ighodalo, however, said that he would not relent in his effort at ensuring a better Edo.
The struggle to reclaim the soul of our beloved state continues.
“Yes, dark days may lie ahead. 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.
“But we are neither a fearful nor a broken people. We may be wounded. But all wounds heal. So let this be our vow. We will not retreat. We will not be silenced. And we will never forget,” he said.
The PDP candidate, therefore, advised Gov. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the winner of the election, to govern the state aright.
“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 concluded.
Edo PDP accepts Supreme Court judgment with “respect, grace, and dignity”
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo on Thursday said it has accepted the Supreme Court judgment on the 2024 governorship election with utmost respect, grace, and dignity.
Dr Anthony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the Edo PDP Caretaker Committee, stated this in Benin while reacting to the court’s decision affirming Monday Okpebholo as the governor of Edo .
“We have come to the end of a long legal journey, culminating in the judgment of the Supreme Court,” he said.
“As a party that believes in the rule of law and the democratic process, we have received the decision of the Court with the utmost respect.
“Though the judgment did not go in our favour, we accept it with grace and dignity. The Supreme Court has spoken, yes, but the Supreme God, the Almighty remains the final and ultimate judge.
“He speaks for the people. He sees the intentions of hearts, the desires of the people of Edo , and the direction in which they truly wish to go,” he said.
He noted that Nigeria’s democracy was still a work in progress, adding that the moment was a reminder of how far Nigeria had come and how much farther it must go.
Aziegbemi added that the party remained hopeful that one day, democratic institutions would fully reflect the genuine will of the people without fear, favour or manipulation.
He thanked Edo for their courage, faith, and trust in the PDP, saying that the party might not have received the verdict hoped for but were not defeated.
“We are not discouraged. Our cause is just, and our commitment to good governance, justice, and development remains strong.
“Let it be known that this is not the end. This is only another chapter in our shared journey toward a better Edo and a better Nigeria.
“We will continue to engage, organise, and serve with integrity and purpose. To all our supporters across the state and beyond, stay peaceful, united, and remain hopeful.
“History is not written in a day, and no judgment can erase the love you have shown us or the bond we share as a political family,” he added.
He emphasised that the PDP in Edo would continue to stand as a voice for the voiceless, a shield for the vulnerable, and a platform for progressive change.
Gov. Abiodun congratulates Okpebholo on victory at Supreme Court
Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun has described the Supreme Court’s validation of the election result of Sen. Monday Okpebholo as the governor of Edo as well-deserved.
The governor congratulated Okpebholo, in a statement on Thursday in Abeokuta by Mr Kayode Akinmade, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to Gov. Abiodun.
According to Abiodun, who is also the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF), the verdict has laid to rest the insinuations that the victory of Okpebholo at the election was an unexpected stroke of good luck.
He said that with the apex court’s verdict, the Edo governor now had the opportunity to devote full attention to actualise his agenda for the state.
He said : “On behalf of my brothers in the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF), I heartily welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court that affirmed what the Edo people and Nigerians have known all along,
“The verdict shows that, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and earlier validated by the Election Petitions Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo’s mandate cannot be questioned.
“No doubt, this victory is a great news for democracy in Nigeria, for the people of Edo and for our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Democracy may be imperfect, but it represents the best form of government available to us as a people, and there is no doubt that this victory further consolidates and strengthens democracy in Nigeria.
“Significantly, the victory represents the arrival of good things for the great people of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole
“I have no doubt that the expectations of the people will be fully met by the pro-people, focused, and dynamic government of my dear brother, Governor Monday Okpebholo.”
