Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC celebrates following the Supreme Court’s verdict affirming his election victory in Edo State.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has brought an end to the protracted legal tussle over the 2024 Edo State governorship election, affirming the victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Delivering the lead judgment on Thursday in Abuja, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba declared that the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was without merit.
The apex court held that the appellants failed to present credible or sufficient evidence to warrant the nullification of the election results.
A five-member panel of justices unanimously dismissed the appeal, upholding earlier decisions by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, both of which had affirmed Okpebholo’s election.
The ruling cements Okpebholo’s mandate as the duly elected Governor of Edo State following the September 21, 2024 poll, and effectively closes the legal chapter of the contest.
“This judgment reaffirms the principle that election petitions must be grounded in credible and convincing evidence,” legal analysts noted, describing the verdict as a reaffirmation of judicial consistency.
The Supreme Court’s decision has been welcomed by APC supporters, while political observers expect the focus to now shift from courtroom battles to governance.
Stakeholders in Edo State have called on all political actors to respect the court’s decision and work collectively to advance peace, unity, and development in the state.
Senator Okpebholo is now expected to begin the full implementation of his administration’s agenda without further legal distractions.
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