Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially retained his mandate as the Supreme Court on Thursday, July 11, 2025, dismissed the appeal brought against him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo. The apex court described the case as lacking merit and upheld the earlier decisions of both the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal.
Justice Mohammed Garba, who led the five-man panel, ruled that the PDP failed to produce any credible or admissible evidence to support its allegations of widespread electoral fraud, over-voting, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. According to the judgment, the evidence presented fell short of the legal threshold required to overturn an election result.
The disputed election, held on September 21, 2024, saw Okpebholo emerge victorious amid a heated contest with Ighodalo, who challenged the process from the tribunal to the apex court. Despite persistent claims of malpractices in several local government areas, the Supreme Court agreed with the lower courts that the allegations were speculative and unsubstantiated.
The judgment brings an end to months of post-election litigation that has kept the political atmosphere in Edo State tense. Supporters of the APC erupted in jubilation following the verdict, viewing it as a final seal of legitimacy on Okpebholo’s administration.
Okpebholo, who is now expected to continue his tenure uninterrupted, praised the judiciary for defending the integrity of the electoral process. He reiterated his commitment to governing for all Edo people, regardless of political affiliations, and called for unity to move the state forward.
PDP’s legal team declined immediate comment after the ruling, but party insiders hinted at a forthcoming statement acknowledging the judgment. Political analysts believe the ruling will significantly reshape Edo’s political landscape, especially ahead of future elections.
This verdict also reinforces the judiciary’s recent trend of respecting the concurrent findings of trial and appellate courts in electoral matters, especially when appellants fail to meet the burden of proof required to invalidate election results.
