*Its a call to higher service – Okpebholo
*Should leverage victory for accelerated devt – Tinubu
WorldStage Newsonline– The Supreme Court on Thursday has stated that it’s dismissing the appeal filled by Mr Asue Ighodalo and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the Edo State governor Sen. Monday Okpebholo for want of merit.
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.
Ighodalo was represented by Ken Mosia SAN who had prayed the apex court to remove Okpebholo and pronounced him as winner of the election.
His ground was that he scored majority of the lawful votes in the election.
While the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC represented by Kanu Agabi SAN had asked the court to dismiss the appeal in its entirety.
Agabi argued that Ighodalo and PDP had in their petition stigmatized as invalid and unlawful on ground of non compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
The electoral body said having declared the election as unlawful and illegal, Ighodalo and PDP cannot turn around and pray the court to declare them as winners of illegality.
INEC accused Ighodalo and PDP of being inconsistent in their grievances against the election and pleaded that their case be dismissed for want of merit.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on May 29, upheld the election of Okpebholo as the Governor of Edo. The court dismissed the case of Ighodalo in the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election.
Delivering judgment, a three-member panel of the appellate court led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, unanimously held that the appeal by Ighodalo was unmeritorious and dismissed it. The court held that the appellants failed to show that the election tribunal erred in its decision and proceeded to affirm the judgment of the tribunal delivered. However, Ighodalo rejected the judgment and said the verdict of the appellate court would be contested at the Supreme Court.
CALL TO HIGHER SERVICE
Gov 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.
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
VICTORY FOR ACCELERATED DEVT
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.
