Ogun State Governor and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has praised the Supreme Court for upholding the governorship election of Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Governor Abiodun said the Supreme Court’s decision confirms that Governor Okpebholo’s victory in the September 21, 2024 election was genuine and deserved.
Okpebholo won with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo, who scored 247,655 votes.
He said that with the apex court’s verdict, the Edo State Governor now has the opportunity to devote full attention to actualising the agenda for which the Edo electorate gave him an overwhelming mandate, without any political distractions.
“On behalf of my brothers in the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF), I heartily welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court today, Thursday, affirming what Edo State people and Nigerians had known all along, namely that on September 21, 2024, Edo State voters gave Governor Monday Okpebholo a mandate to pilot their affairs for the next four years.
“The verdict shows that, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and earlier validated by the Election Petitions Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo’s mandate cannot be questioned,”; he said.
Governor Abiodun described the victory as good news for democracy in Nigeria, the people of Edo State, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the country’s development.
“Democracy may be imperfect but it represents the best form of government available to us as a people, and there is no doubt that this victory further consolidates and strengthens it in Nigeria,”; he added.
The governor expressed confidence that Governor Okpebholo’s government will meet the expectations of the people of Edo State.
He called him “pro-people, focused and dynamic.”;
“I have no doubt in my mind that the expectations of the people will be fully met by the pro-people, focused and dynamic government of my dear brother, Governor Monday Okpebholo.”;
