The Supreme Court has affirmed Monday Okpebholo as governor of Edo State and rightful winner of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
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‎This is the decision of a 5-member panel of the Apex Court after dismissing the appeal by Asue Igholdalo of the People’s Democratic Party who claims to have won the election.
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‎In the lead judgment delivered by Justice Lawal Garba, the Court held that the appellants failed to prove their case of over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, among other infractions which they cited as grounds to fault the electoral victory of Okpebholo.
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‎In a unanimous judgment, the Apex Court said the appellants failed to prove that the election was in non-compliance with the Electoral Act and that Ighodalo was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.
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‎Specifically, the Apex Court held that the PDP candidate failed to prove non-compliance as he merely challenged the outcome of the election in 395 of the 4,519 polling units where elections were held.
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‎The Apex Court panel also said the 19 witnesses called at the Tribunal stage did not help the case of the PDP in challenging the outcome of the election.