In a decisive judgment on Thursday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected Governor of Edo State, dismissing the challenge brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
Justice Fatima Binta, delivering the lead judgment, said the PDP and Ighodalo failed to prove allegations of vote manipulation, overvoting, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
“The petitioners were unable to provide credible evidence to support their claims,” Justice Binta ruled. “The election was conducted in substantial compliance with the law, and the appeal is hereby dismissed.”
This judgment upholds the earlier decision of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had dismissed Ighodalo’s petition in early 2025.
Reacting swiftly, the PDP expressed disappointment but vowed to continue the legal battle.
“We are deeply disappointed by this ruling, but this is not the end,” PDP spokesperson Debo Ologunagba said in a statement. “We remain confident that Asue Ighodalo is the true winner of the Edo governorship election, and we will take this matter to the Supreme Court to ensure justice is served.”
The September 21 election was fiercely contested, with Okpebholo, a former senator, representing the APC, while Ighodalo, a prominent lawyer and businessman, carried the PDP’s hopes of reclaiming Edo after Governor Godwin Obaseki’s two terms.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo the winner, a result the PDP immediately rejected, citing widespread irregularities and calling for either annulment or the declaration of Ighodalo as winner.
With the appellate court’s ruling, the APC is poised to consolidate its hold on Edo State heading into the 2027 general elections—though the political drama is far from over.
“This victory is a testament to the will of Edo people,” APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje said. “We urge the opposition to join hands in moving the state forward instead of further litigation.”
As the PDP prepares to approach Nigeria’s Supreme Court, the nation watches closely for the final chapter in what has become one of the country’s most closely watched governorship battles.
