Supreme Court Upholds Gov Okpebholo’s Election

The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Thursday, a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba dismissed, for lacking in merit, the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo.

The appeal sought to nullify the outcome of the governorship election held in the state on September 21, 2024.

The Supreme Court ruled that there was no justification to overturn the concurrent judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had earlier declared Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, the valid winner of the election.

The court held that the appellant failed to provide credible and admissible evidence to support his claims that the election was marred by irregularities, including over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.