The administration of Governor Monday Okpebholo has reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling campaign promises, emphasizing that it will not be sidetracked by what it describes as “frivolous litigation.” The governor’s team maintains that its primary focus remains on serving the people of Edo State with dedication and integrity.
Ighodalo Vows to Challenge Tribunal Verdict at Court of Appeal
Reacting to the tribunal’s decision, the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, expressed strong dissatisfaction, labeling the ruling a “travesty of justice.” He announced his intention to appeal the judgment at the Court of Appeal, emphasizing that his legal challenge is rooted in the need to protect the democratic rights of Edo State’s electorate.
In a statement personally signed by him, Ighodalo stressed the importance of upholding the rule of law, stating:
“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has delivered its judgment in our petition challenging the outcome of the September 21st, 2024 Governorship election in our dear state.
While we all may not agree with the verdict, we, however, remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must remain the bedrock of our democracy.
Our pursuit of justice in this regard is an affirmation of our firm belief that the right of the good people of Edo State to freely choose their leaders through a credible, free, and fair electoral process must never be compromised.”
Ighodalo reaffirmed his commitment to seeking justice, urging the people of Edo State to remain calm and law-abiding as the legal process unfolds. He emphasized that his legal challenge is not a personal ambition but a fight to ensure that democracy, justice, and the will of the people are upheld.
“This is not the end of our journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate freely conferred on my running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, and me on the platform of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).”
Ighodalo directed his legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge the tribunal’s ruling, stating that the decision goes against democratic principles and the collective rights of the people.
PDP Expresses Surprise Over Tribunal’s Ruling, Plans to Review Legal Options
The Edo State chapter of the PDP expressed surprise at the tribunal’s judgment, indicating that the party would thoroughly review the decision before taking further legal steps.
Chris Nehikhare, the party’s Publicity Secretary, acknowledged that while the PDP was not entirely shocked by the ruling, it remained unexpected. He noted that the party leadership would meet soon to decide on the next course of action.
“The tribunal has spoken, but there are one or two higher steps we can take because the Electoral Act is very clear. If you present a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the unit result, you don’t even need a witness to speak to it, and all these we did.
The APC and Senator Monday Okpebholo know that they are sitting on a stolen mandate, which will be recovered.”
APC Hails Tribunal’s Judgment as a Validation of Governor Okpebholo’s Mandate
In contrast, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) welcomed the tribunal’s verdict, describing it as a well-grounded legal ruling that reinforces the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo’s electoral victory.
APC’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, praised the judgment, stating that it aligns with well-established legal principles regarding the burden of proof in election petitions.
“The judgment is in consonance with well-settled principles of law already established in a plethora of cases as to the nature of oral and documentary evidence required from a petitioner to establish allegations of non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
Specifically, the tribunal rightly held that the petitioners merely dumped documents, including BVAS records, without evidence to link them to their allegations. The tribunal’s decision that the petitioners’ witnesses were not competent to give testimony in support of their claims is unassailable in view of well-established case law.”
He concluded that the ruling was a reaffirmation of the mandate freely given to the APC and its candidates, Governor Okpebholo and his deputy, Hon. Idahosa, by the people of Edo State.
Wike Congratulates Governor Okpebholo, Urges Him to Stay Focused
Adding his voice to the reactions, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, celebrated Governor Okpebholo’s tribunal victory and encouraged him to remain focused on governance.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike described the ruling as further confirmation of the people’s mandate.
“Governor Okpebholo should avoid being distracted by those who are only interested in getting power through the back door.
I believe in him, and with the way he has started, I trust that his government will have a positive impact on Edo State and its people.”
The Edo gubernatorial tribunal’s decision has intensified the political atmosphere in the state, with the PDP determined to take the legal battle to the Court of Appeal while the APC views the ruling as a final affirmation of its electoral victory. As both parties prepare for the next phase of the legal process, political observers are keenly watching how the case unfolds and what implications it might have for the state’s governance.
