Former Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has reacted to the Supreme Court’s verdict on the 2024 governorship election, affirming Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the governor of the state.
According to Obaseki, who was governor of the state between 2016 to 2024, he was sure that the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo, won the poll.
He said, “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 in the Edo State Governorship Election, which took place on September 21, 2024.
Obaseki added that, “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, as adherents to the rule of law, we are bound by their verdict,” Obaseki said.
Obaseki hands over justice to God
Obaseki disclosed that the matter has been left in the hands of God to deliver divine justice.
He added, “We, however, 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.
“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.”
The Supreme Court had upheld the election victory of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, who was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2024 governorship election.
This paper reported that delivering judgment on Thursday, a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba Lawal ruled that the appellants failed to substantiate their allegations of electoral malpractice, unlawful voting, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
“The appeal lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court declared, reinforcing the earlier decisions of both the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
The judgment comes nearly a year after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo the winner of the September 2024 gubernatorial election. He secured 291,667 votes to defeat Ighodalo of the PDP, who polled 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata came a distant third with 22,763 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, the PDP and Ighodalo filed a petition challenging the election results, citing widespread irregularities and calling for the results to be nullified. However, in April 2025, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their case.
An appeal to the Court of Appeal also met the same fate, with the appellate court dismissing the case for want of merit. The matter then proceeded to the Supreme Court, which has now affirmed the rulings of the lower courts.
