The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has strongly condemned the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor.
A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal on Thursday, ruling that the petitioners failed to prove allegations of electoral malpractice.
In an emotional statement following the verdict, Ighodalo described the September 2024 election as a “deliberate and coordinated robbery,” accusing the judiciary of betraying public trust. Though he acknowledged the court’s finality, he insisted that justice had not been served. “What happened was not a contest but a robbery—now tragically validated by the highest court,” he declared.
Addressing his supporters, Ighodalo expressed solidarity with voters who he said were disenfranchised. “You voted for competence, progress, and prosperity, only to be told your voice doesn’t matter,” he said. Despite the setback, he vowed that the fight for Edo’s future would continue, urging APC leaders to govern with conscience. “History will deliver its own verdict,” he added.
The ruling ends months of legal battles, but Ighodalo’s remarks signal lingering discontent among opposition supporters, setting the stage for renewed political tensions in the state.
