Appeal Court Upholds Okpebholo’s Victory as Edo State Governor, Ighodalo Heads to Supreme Court

In a significant political development, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday reaffirmed the election of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected Governor of Edo State. The appellate court dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

Delivering the unanimous judgment, a three-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma held that Ighodalo’s appeal lacked merit and upheld the earlier decision of the election tribunal, which had also dismissed the petition. The court ruled that the appellants failed to establish any convincing evidence that the tribunal had erred in law or that the election violated the Electoral Act.

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Ighodalo’s Challenge Dismissed for Lack of Merit

Justice Danjuma, reading the verdict, stated that the PDP and its candidate could not substantiate their claims of electoral malpractice or procedural non-compliance. “The appeal is unmeritorious and is hereby dismissed,” he said, sealing Okpebholo’s mandate for now.

The decision marks the second time Ighodalo’s legal efforts have failed, following the April 2025 ruling of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. That panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had dismissed Ighodalo’s petition on the grounds that the PDP failed to present competent witnesses or sufficient evidence to support their allegations.

The tribunal had noted that for any claims of electoral irregularities to hold, the petitioner must prove non-compliance in specific polling units through testimonies of key stakeholders such as polling unit officers, presiding officers, or voters. Ighodalo and his legal team failed to do so, thereby weakening their case significantly.

Election Recap: APC Wins Big in Edo

Monday Okpebholo, flying the APC flag, emerged victorious in the keenly contested election held in September 2024. He secured 291,667 votes, outpacing his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who polled 247,274 votes. Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata trailed behind with 22,763 votes, while the remaining fourteen candidates recorded marginal tallies.

The APC swept over 10 out of the 18 local government areas in the state, with dominant performances in two of the three senatorial districts. This electoral strength ultimately translated into a landslide victory and saw Okpebholo declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He was sworn in on November 12, 2024, succeeding outgoing PDP governor Godwin Obaseki.

Legal Battle Far From Over: Ighodalo Heads to Supreme Court

Despite the resounding defeat at the Court of Appeal, Asue Ighodalo has vowed not to back down. In a swift reaction to Thursday’s judgment, he expressed dissatisfaction with the appellate court’s ruling and confirmed plans to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.

“Our fight is not just about one election,” Ighodalo said in a statement released after the judgment. “It is about safeguarding democracy and ensuring that the people’s will is not subverted. We are heading to the Supreme Court for a final resolution.”

His persistence underscores the continued tension surrounding the gubernatorial election, which many observers say was one of the most closely monitored contests in the South-South region.

Political Stakes and Public Sentiment

The legal tussle over the governorship has not only spotlighted the strength of the APC in Edo State but also raised important questions about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral processes. The judiciary’s role in post-election disputes remains a critical aspect of democratic governance, especially in states like Edo where political rivalries are intense.

Political analysts say that unless the Supreme Court overturns the current verdicts—a rare occurrence given the consistent findings of both lower courts—Monday Okpebholo’s governorship will remain secure for the next four years. Meanwhile, the APC has lauded the Appeal Court’s ruling as a validation of the will of Edo voters.

“This judgment is a victory for democracy and the rule of law,” said a spokesperson for the party. “We trust that the Supreme Court will see the matter in the same light.”

As the countdown to the Supreme Court hearing begins, all eyes remain on Nigeria’s highest judicial body to bring finality to what has been a fiercely contested governorship election in Edo State.