Abuja: President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on his Supreme Court victory, urging him to use this legal success as a catalyst to fast-track development efforts in the region.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, this message was conveyed in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga. Tinubu welcomed the court's decision as a positive step for governance and urged Governor Okpebholo to be magnanimous in his victory, calling for unity among all citizens of Edo State to work towards a common goal of progress.
Tinubu acknowledged that with the legal challenges now behind him, Governor Okpebholo should expedite the provision of effective services and governance to the people of Edo State, which he has already initiated. Tinubu also extended his congratulations to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo, emphasizing the importance of unity and a commitment to the people's mandate.
The Supreme Court's unanimous decision, delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo. Ighodalo sought to nullify the governorship election held on September 21, 2024. The court found no basis to overturn the judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal that affirmed Okpebholo's victory.
The Supreme Court noted that the appellant failed to provide credible evidence to support claims of election irregularities, such as over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. Additionally, the appellant did not call relevant witnesses to substantiate evidence, particularly regarding the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.