The immediate-past Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki, has said he “strongly disagrees” with the Supreme Court’s ruling affirming Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election victory.
His reaction was contained in a statement released on Thursday following the apex court’s unanimous decision.
Obaseki, in the statement, said he believes that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, won the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
“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,” he said.
Obaseki emphasised that the party’s legal challenge, which went across the Election Petition Tribunal, the Court of Appeal, and ultimately the Supreme Court, was driven by a strong conviction that the election was manipulated. However, he noted that despite what he described as clear evidence, all courts ruled against the PDP.
“Although we strongly disagree with the decision of the Supreme Court, but as adherents to the rule of law, we are bound by their verdict,” he added.
The former governor went further to raise alarm over what he termed the “iconic manner” in which the election was manipulated, warning that the judiciary’s validation of the process sets a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s democracy.
“We, however, 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 said.
Obaseki called on the people of Edo and Nigerians at large to remain hopeful and resilient, expressing faith that divine justice would prevail.
“As people of faith, we leave our matter in God’s hands, trusting that only He knows the appropriate time and manner to deliver divine justice and redemption to our people,” he stated.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the 2024 election with 291,667 votes, defeating PDP’s Ighodalo who polled 247,655 votes. The Supreme Court’s ruling on Thursday upheld the earlier decisions of the tribunal and the appellate court which dismissed the PDP’s petitions.