…Okpebholo says Supreme Court’s judgement signals new beginning in Edo
…Southern govs congratulate Okpebholo on judgement
Asue Ighodalo, Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 21, 2024 Governorship Election in Edo State, on Thursday, said he felt the pains and shared anger of the electorate that voted for the party during the election.
Ighodalo, who spoke while reacting to the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner of the election, vowed that he would never forget the courage of the electorate.
Ighodalo, in a statement entitled, “Final Statement on the Supreme Court Judgment in the Edo Governorship Election Petition”, said though he accepted the finality of the judgement, he however declared that, “I do not and
cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice.”
He said, “What happened in the September 2024 Governorship Election was not a contest. It was a robbery. Coordinated. Deliberate. And now, tragically validated by the highest court in the land.
“While I will not and cannot obstruct any judicial pronouncement, no matter how flawed, I must never fear to speak truth to power. Like you, I feel a deep sense of betrayal. Not just by those who rigged the process, but by the very institutions we trusted to protect our democracy. You came out in hope. You voted for competence, for progress, for prosperity.
“And now, we are told that your voice does not matter. That your freely given mandate can be trampled without consequence. I feel your pain. I share your anger. And I will never forget your courage.
“To every young person who saw in this moment the birth of a new Edo. To every elder who longed to see our state rise again. To every woman and man who prayed, campaigned, and voted.
“We may not have won the office, but we won something greater. We found one another. We discovered our collective strength. Though this painful chapter closes today, our beautiful story does not end. The struggle to reclaim the soul of our beloved state continues.
“Yes, dark days may lie ahead. The weight of this illegitimacy will, unfortunately, echo beyond the halls of the Supreme Court. I fear Edo will feel it in the absence of leadership, in the poverty of policy, and in the daily suffering of her people.
“But we are neither fearful nor broken people. We may be wounded. But all wounds heal. So let this be our vow. We will not retreat. We will not be silenced. And we will never forget”.
But, the winner, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, said the Supreme Court judgment was not a personal victory but a shared triumph for every Edo citizen regardless of politial, ethnic or religious affiliation.
Governor Okpebholo, who spoke while reacting to the Supreme Court’s judgement that validated his electoral victory, noted that the judgment signalled the beginning of a fresh chapter rooted in unity, inclusiveness, and accelerated development
While commending the Judiciary for its courage and fidelity to justice as well as the people of Edo State for their unflinching support, patience and faith in democracy, Governor Okpebholo, however, extended an olive branch to all his opponents and members of the opposition.
Meanwhile, Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) has described the Supreme Court’s validation of Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s Governorship election as a well-deserved victory.
Governor Abiodun, the Ogun State Governor, who stated this in a statement issued on behalf of the Forum in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, said the verdict had laid to rest any insinuation that the victory of Okpebholo, who won the September 21, 2024, governorship election with 291,667 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Asue Ighodalo, who garnered 247,655 votes, was a fluke.
He said that with the apex court’s verdict, the Edo State Governor now has the opportunity to devote full attention to actualizing the agenda for which the Edo electorate gave him an overwhelming mandate, without any political distractions.
He said: “On behalf of my brothers in the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF), I heartily welcome the verdict of the Supreme Court today, Thursday, affirming what the Edo State people and Nigerians have 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 and the Court of Appeal, the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo’s mandate cannot be questioned.
“No doubt, this victory is great news for democracy in Nigeria, for the people of Edo State, for our great party, the All Progressives Congress, and for good governance and the development of our dear country.
“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.
“Significantly, the victory represents the arrival of good things for the great people of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.
“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.”
