Supreme court

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo State, upholding the verdict of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The appellate court, in a unanimous judgement delivered by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The three-member panel of justices held that the appeal lacked merit and failed to establish any miscarriage of justice in the earlier decision of the lower tribunal, which had dismissed the petition of the PDP and Ighodalo for want of evidence.

In delivering the lead judgement, Justice Danjuma ruled that the appellants failed to provide credible evidence to support their claims of electoral malpractice and irregularities.

He maintained that the judgement of the tribunal was sound and consistent with established legal principles, and therefore, there was no reason to overturn it.

With the ruling, Governor Okpebholo’s election remains valid and legally binding, solidifying his mandate as the elected leader of Edo State.

Neither the PDP nor Ighodalo has issued an official statement as of press time regarding their next line of action.

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