Ex-governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has expressed disappointment over the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo State.
In a statement issued via X shortly after the verdict on Thursday, Obaseki thanked the people of Edo State and Nigerians for their support, while maintaining that the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, won the governorship election held on September 21, 2024.
“I am profoundly grateful to the good people of Edo State and Nigerians for their overwhelming support for the victory, which we believe our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, won,” Obaseki stated.
The governor noted that the PDP pursued legal redress through all available judicial channels, beginning with the Election Petition Tribunal, then the Court of Appeal, and finally the Supreme Court, due to their conviction that the results were manipulated.
“But unfortunately, and most surprisingly, all the courts have ruled against us,” he said.
Obaseki acknowledged the binding nature of the verdict despite strong disagreement.
“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 warned, however, that the manner in which the election was conducted and judicially validated could endanger Nigeria’s democracy.
“We want to caution that the iconic manner in which the Edo election was manipulated, coupled with the judicial validation it has received, portends grave danger for Nigeria’s democracy,” he added.
The governor concluded by urging faith and perseverance.
“As people of faith, we leave our matter in God’s hands, trusting that only He knows the appropriate time and manner to deliver divine justice and redemption to our people. I encourage our people to keep hope alive as we persist in the struggle to redeem our fatherland,” he said.
The Supreme Court, earlier on Thursday, upheld the election of Okpebholo, dismissing the appeal filed by PDP’s governorship candidate, Ighodalo.
A five-member panel of the apex court, in a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Lawal Garba, ruled that the appellants failed to prove their claims of over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and other electoral irregularities.
The court held that Ighodalo failed to substantiate his allegations, challenging results from only 395 of the 4,519 polling units and calling 19 witnesses whose testimonies failed to aid his case.
Justice Garba stated that there was no convincing evidence to overturn the decisions of the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which had both affirmed Okpebholo’s victory.
