Edo Governorship Election: PDP’s Ighodalo Condemns Supreme Court Ruling, Calls It a “Legitimised Robbery”

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, has strongly criticised the Supreme Court’s ruling that upheld the election of Monday Okpebholo as governor, describing it as a tragic blow to democracy and a “legitimisation of electoral robbery.”

In a statement titled “Final Statement on the Supreme Court Judgement in the Edo Governorship Election Petition” released on Thursday, Ighodalo acknowledged the finality of the court’s decision but maintained that the ruling amounted to a miscarriage of justice.

“Though I accept the finality of its judgment, I do not and cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice,” he said.

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, dismissed the appeal filed by Ighodalo and the PDP. The panel ruled that the appellants failed to substantiate their claims and upheld the prior decisions of both the election tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which had validated Okpebholo’s electoral victory.

In his response, Ighodalo expressed deep disappointment, asserting that the outcome of the September 2024 Edo governorship election was not a genuine democratic contest.

“What happened in the September 2024 Governorship Election was not a contest. It was a robbery coordinated, deliberate, and now, tragically validated by the highest court in the land.”

He lamented the erosion of public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions, accusing both the electoral and judicial arms of failing the people of Edo State.

“Like you, I feel a deep sense of betrayal not just by those who rigged the process, but by the very institutions we trusted to protect our democracy.”

Ighodalo noted that Edo people came out in hope, voted for change and competence, but were ultimately denied their mandate.

“You voted for progress and prosperity. Now, you are being told your voice doesn’t matter — that your freely given mandate can be dismissed without consequence.”

Despite the setback, the PDP candidate urged his supporters not to lose hope, promising that the fight for a better Edo State would continue.

“The weight of this illegitimacy will, unfortunately, echo beyond the halls of the Supreme Court. I fear Edo will feel it in the absence of leadership, in the poverty of policy, and in the daily suffering of her people.”

He also sent a message to those currently in power, urging them to lead with humility and govern with integrity.

“To those who now hold power undeserved lead with humility. Govern with conscience. History sees what the courts may not. One day, it will deliver its own verdict.”

This marks Ighodalo’s continued challenge of the 2024 election results. In May, he similarly rejected the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which also upheld Okpebholo’s election. That decision, delivered by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, maintained that the PDP and its candidate failed to prove their claims or show any miscarriage of justice by the tribunal.