The political heat in Edo State just turned up a notch! The Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja has upheld Governor Monday Okpebholo’s victory, dismissing the legal challenge filed by his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP. But Ighodalo isn’t backing down—he’s taking the fight to the Court of Appeal.
In a judgment delivered by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, the tribunal ruled that the PDP and its candidate failed to provide solid evidence to overturn the election results. Despite allegations of electoral malpractice and over-voting in multiple polling units, the tribunal maintained that Governor Okpebholo was rightfully declared the winner by INEC.
Ighodalo, however, is calling the ruling a “travesty of justice” and insists the people’s mandate was stolen. In his response, Okpebholo extended an olive branch, urging unity for Edo’s progress, while his party, the APC, hailed the tribunal’s decision as a victory for democracy.
With Ighodalo heading to the Court of Appeal, the battle is far from over. Will the tribunal’s decision stand, or will the appeal shake things up? Stay tuned as the legal showdown continues!
