Former Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has revealed his disappointment with the Supreme Court’s ruling that upheld SenatorMondayOkpebholo as the legitimately elected governor of Edo State.
In a statement released on X shortly afterThursday’s verdict, Obaseki expressed gratitude to the people of Edo State and Nigerians for their support.
He stated that the Peoples Democratic Party candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo, along with his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, were the true winners of the governorship election conducted on September 21, 2024.
“I am profoundly grateful to the good people of Edo State and Nigerians for their overwhelming support for the victory, which we believe our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, its candidate, Dr Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, won,”; Obaseki stated.
The governor pointed out that the PDP sought justice through every available legal avenue starting with the Election Petition Tribunal, moving to the Court of Appeal, and ultimately reaching the Supreme Court driven by their firm belief that the election results had been manipulated.
“But unfortunately, and most surprisingly, all the courts have ruled against us,”; he said.
Obaseki acknowledged the binding nature of the verdict despite strong disagreement.
“Although we strongly disagree with the decision of the Supreme Court, as adherents to the rule of law, we are bound by their verdict,”; he said.
However, he cautioned that the way the election was conducted and subsequently upheld by the courts could pose a threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
“We want to caution that the iconic manner in which the Edo election was manipulated, coupled with the judicial validation it has received, portends grave danger for Nigeria’s democracy,”; he added.
The governor urged for faith and perseverance among Edo people, saying,“As people of faith, we leave our matters in God’s hands, trusting that only He knows the appropriate time and manner to deliver divine justice and redemption to our people.
“I encourage our people to keep hope alive as we persist in the struggle to redeem our fatherland,”; he said.
The Supreme Court, earlier onThursday, upheld the election of Okpebholo, dismissing the appeal filed by PDP’s governorship candidate, Ighodalo.
A five-member panel of the apex court, in a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Lawal Garba, ruled that the appellants failed to prove their claims of over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, and other electoral irregularities.
The court ruled that Ighodalo did not adequately prove his claims, noting that he contested results from merely 395 out of the 4,519 polling units and presented 19 witnesses whose testimonies did not support his case.
Justice Garba stated that there was no convincing evidence to overturn the decisions of the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which had both affirmed Okpebholo’s victory.
