The Court of Appeal in Abuja has affirmed Mr. Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo State in the September 21, 2024, governorship election. A three-member panel led by Justice M. A. Danjuma dismissed an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the election outcome.
The appellate court stated that it found no reason to overturn the May 15 judgement of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had validated the declaration of Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.
However, Ighodalo has vowed to appeal the judgement at the Supreme Court.
Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led tribunal had previously dismissed petitions by the PDP and its candidate, the Action Alliance (AA) and its National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, as well as a case brought by the Accord Party (AP) and its candidate, Dr. Bright Enabulele, describing the petitions as “lacking in merit.” The tribunal held that there was no basis to nullify the election results in favor of Okpebholo.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared that Okpebholo of the APC secured 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo of the PDP, who received 247,655 votes.
The PDP and its candidate approached the tribunal, alleging non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022. They contended that INEC failed to properly serialise and pre-record sensitive materials, which they claimed facilitated rigging in favor of the APC. The petitioners alleged incorrect result computation in 765 polling units and presented 19 witnesses and exhibits before the tribunal.
