By Kolawole Ojebisi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, have vowed to go the whole hog in their legal battle to overturn the outcome of the September 21 exercise in the state.
This is as both parties have declared their intention to challenge the mandate of the incumbent governor of Edo state, Monday Okpebholo at the Supreme Court having previously failed at both the tribunal and appellate courts.
The Publicity Secretary of the Edo State PDP Caretaker Committee, Chris Nehikhare, confirmed the decision in an interview with Punch Newspaper on Friday.
“We are surely taking the matter to the Supreme Court after yesterday’s judgment, and we shall do so within the stipulated time.”
Recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday affirmed the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo State, upholding his victory in the September 21, 2024, governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
While delivering the lead judgement, Justice Mohammed Danjuma faulted the premise of the argument of both litigants, dismissing their appeal for lacking in merit.
The three-member panel ruled unanimously, reiterating the decision of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.
Justice Danjuma held that the appellants failed to prove any miscarriage of justice or provide credible witnesses and documentation to support their allegations of over-voting.
“The foundation of the appellants’ case having collapsed, the appeal lacked merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled.
In a prompt reaction to the verdict of the appellate court, Okpebholo called on Ighodalo and the PDP to accept the new verdict and join him in moving Edo State forward.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, the governor said the judgment, which reaffirmed the will of the people, should signal an end to divisive politics.
“Governor Monday Okpebholo commends the judiciary for its diligence and commitment to justice. This ruling is not just a victory for our party, the All Progressives Congress, but a triumph for democracy and the rule of law in Edo State.”
“The governor urges the opposition and Asue Ighodalo to reflect on the judgment. Prolonged litigation only distracts from the urgent task of governance and the delivery of democratic dividends.”
Also recall that INEC had declared Okpebholo winner of the election, having polled 291,667 votes to defeat PDP’s Ighodalo, who garnered 247,655 votes.
Dissatisfied, the PDP and its candidate filed a petition before the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, challenging the outcome.
On April 2, the three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the petition, ruling that the petitioners failed to substantiate claims of over-voting and electoral irregularities.
The tribunal affirmed that Okpebholo received the highest number of valid votes and found that the petitioners failed to link their allegations to credible evidence.
