Appeal Court Affirms Monday Okpebholo's Election as Edo State Governor
Abuja, Nigeria – May 29, 2025
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has upheld the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo State. The unanimous decision by the three-member panel, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.(The Whistler, Nairametrics)
In its judgment, the appellate court affirmed the earlier decision of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had validated Okpebholo's victory. The court held that the appellants failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate their claims of electoral irregularities, including allegations of over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. (Premium Times, Nairametrics)
Justice Danjuma emphasized that the PDP and Ighodalo did not present credible witnesses or relevant documents to support their allegations, thereby rendering their appeal unmeritorious. The court also noted that the appellants' failure to call polling unit officers, presiding officers, or voters as witnesses was detrimental to their case. (Channels Television)
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as the winner of the election, having polled 291,667 votes. His closest rival, Ighodalo of the PDP, secured 247,274 votes, while Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party came third with 22,763 votes. (ThisDayLive, Channels Television)
In response to the appellate court's decision, the PDP has expressed its intention to challenge the verdict at the Supreme Court, indicating that the legal battle over the Edo State governorship election is not yet over. (Channels Television)
Governor Okpebholo, who was sworn in on November 12, 2024, continues to serve as the executive governor of Edo State, following his victory in the 2024 gubernatorial election. (Wikipedia)
For further updates on this developing story, stay tuned to our news outlets.
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