By Nwosa Hamilton
Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 2024 Edo State governorship election, has expressed his disappointment over the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor.
In a strongly worded statement, Ighodalo described the verdict as a “tragedy” and a “betrayal of democracy,” accusing the judicial system of failing the people of Edo State.
Recall that the Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, had dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal on Thursday, declaring that it lacked merit.
The court upheld the earlier judgments of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which both declared Okpebholo the valid winner of the September 21, 2024, election.
In his reaction, Ighodalo accepted the finality of the court’s decision but vehemently rejected its substance.
He said: ” While I will not and cannot obstruct any judicial pronouncement, no matter how flawed, I must never fear to speak truth to power.
”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 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.”
