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Months of Uncertainty End in Triumph
After months of intense political wrangling and courtroom battles, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has officially affirmed Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo State, delivering a resounding victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its supporters.
From legal challenges to electoral disputes, this final ruling solidifies Okpebholo’s mandate, shutting the door on the opposition’s bid to overturn the 2024 gubernatorial election results.
A Courtroom Showdown—How PDP’s Challenge Fell Apart
The opposition, led by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asue Ighodalo, had fought tooth and nail to dispute the election outcome, citing alleged irregularities and procedural flaws.
But on Thursday, May 29, 2025, a three-man judicial panel led by Justice Mohamed Danjuma dismissed the PDP’s appeal, declaring that the election results were legitimate and upheld by the law.
Justice Danjuma’s Verdict: “The appellants failed to prove substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act or show that the outcome of the election was compromised.”
INEC’s Official Election Results:
Monday Okpebholo (APC): 291,667 votes
Asue Ighodalo (PDP): 247,274 votes
Legal Gambles That Didn’t Pay Off
Desperate to overturn the results, PDP’s legal team subpoenaed INEC, demanding the BVAS (Bimodal Voter Accreditation System) machines from over 130 polling units, hoping for discrepancies.
But the court’s response? No valid evidence to nullify the election.
With that, the legal battle ended, clearing the way for Monday Okpebholo and Dennis Idahosa, who had already been sworn in as Edo State’s Governor and Deputy Governor on November 12, 2024.
Celebrations & Political Fallout
In Benin City, the APC camp erupted in celebration, with drums, cheers, and victory chants marking the court’s final judgment.
PDP, on the other hand, is now weighing its remaining legal options—while there’s talk of escalating the case to the Supreme Court, today’s ruling significantly limits their chances of success.
What’s Next?
Will PDP challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court?
Can Okpebholo’s administration move forward without further opposition interference?
How will this verdict shape Edo’s political future?
For now, one thing is clear—Okpebholo’s mandate has been upheld, and Edo’s political landscape is shifting.
💬 What do you think? Did the court get it right? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
