Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has congratulated the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, on his victory at the election tribunal, which affirmed his election in the September 2024 governorship poll.
In a statement issued by Lere Olayinka, his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Wike described the tribunal ruling as a further confirmation of the mandate freely given to Okpebholo by the people of Edo State.
He urged the governor to remain focused on governance and not to be distracted by those seeking power “through the back door.”
Expressing confidence in Okpebholo’s leadership, Wike commended the governor’s early strides in office, stating, “I believe in him, and with the way he has started, I am confident that his government will have a positive impact on Edo State and its people.”
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, on Wednesday, declared Okpebholo as the legitimate winner of the September 2, 2024, election.
In a unanimous ruling, the three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, rejected the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, citing their failure to substantiate claims of over-voting.
The tribunal affirmed that Okpebholo had secured the highest number of valid votes in the election.
