Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate for governor, has criticized the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal’s judgment, calling it a mockery of justice and pledging to appeal it in the Court of Appeal.
Ighodalo’s plea to declare the September 21, 2024, governorship election invalid due to purported irregularities was denied by the tribunal on April 2, 2025.
Ighodalo, however, maintained that the people’s mandate had been undermined and reiterated his resolve to see that justice is served in a statement released soon after the decision.
“While we all may not agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must remain the bedrock of our democracy.”
“Our pursuit of justice in this regard is an affirmation of our firm belief that the right of the good people of Edo State to freely choose their leaders through a credible, free, and fair electoral process must never be compromised,” he said.
Ighodalo, who ran alongside Barr. Osarodion Ogie under the PDP platform, emphasized that the legal battle was not about personal ambition but about protecting democracy and the will of the people.
“This is not the end of our journey, but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate,” he stated, urging his supporters to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding.”
He emphasized that the battle was about protecting the Edo people’s freedom to freely choose their own destiny and stated that he had already given his legal staff instructions to take the case to the Court of Appeal.
Ighodalo thanked his followers for their steadfast faith in his vision for a thriving Edo State and reminded them that he is still determined to defend the fundamental principles of justice and democracy.
“We shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” he declared.
