By Rafiyat Sadiq
The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, putting to rest the legal challenge filed by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, on Thursday, dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal for lacking merit. The court ruled that the PDP candidate Ighodalo failed to present credible and admissible evidence to support his claims of irregularities during the September 2024 election.
The justices said they found no reason to overturn the earlier decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal, which had both declared Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor.
Tribunal Faulted PDP’s Evidence
The tribunal, in its earlier judgement, held that the PDP and its candidate failed to prove that the election was rigged or that Okpebholo did not win lawfully. It noted that most of the evidence submitted, including BVAS machines and documents, was not properly demonstrated in court.
Out of 4,519 polling units, the PDP raised issues in only 432 units but did not provide polling agents or INEC officials as witnesses. Instead, the court said the evidence was largely based on hearsay and failed to establish the alleged irregularities.
Ighodalo Lost at All Levels of Court
INEC declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, ahead of Ighodalo, who got 247,655. Dissatisfied with the result, Ighodalo filed a petition at the tribunal, alleging vote manipulation and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
The tribunal dismissed the case in May 2024, and the Court of Appeal upheld the decision. Ighodalo then approached the Supreme Court, insisting he won the election and asking to be declared governor. But the Supreme Court ruled against him, stating that he failed to discharge the burden of proof.
The legal challenge also included petitions from other parties, such as the Action Alliance and Accord Party, which were equally dismissed for lack of evidence.
Final Verdict Ends Legal Battle
The Supreme Court’s ruling brings the case to a close, confirming Monday Okpebholo’s mandate as governor of Edo State. The judgement reinforces earlier decisions that declared the election valid and conducted in substantial compliance with the law.
Justice Garba concluded that the petitioners did not prove their allegations and that the BVAS machines presented were not demonstrated in a way that supported the claims of over-voting. The apex court said it had no reason to interfere with the outcome of the election.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.