The Supreme Court of Nigeria has firmly upheld the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, dismissing an appeal filed by opposition candidate Mr. Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The ruling marks a definitive legal end to one of the most closely watched gubernatorial disputes in the country.
In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, the apex court ruled that the PDP and its candidate failed to substantiate claims of electoral irregularities, including allegations of over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba, delivering the lead judgment, stated that “the petition was without merit and lacked credible evidence.”
The court resolved four out of five contentious issues against the PDP.
“The appellants could not prove their case beyond mere allegations,” the court held, affirming the legitimacy of Okpebholo’s electoral victory and the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
All parties involved in the case—including INEC, Governor Okpebholo, and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)—were ordered to bear the respective costs of the litigation.
Confidence Okwuchi