On Friday, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the governor of Edo State, predicted that the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, will fail in the Appellate Court.
Speaking at the Okaijesan Town Hall in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, where Edo Central leaders were celebrating his election tribunal victory, Governor Okpebholo made this statement.
The governor reassured the Edo people that his administration will maintain the current rate of progress and thanked them for their prayers and support.
He pointed out that Ighodalo and the PDP have stated their intention to contest the election petition tribunal’s decision, which on Wednesday awarded him and his party the victory.
Governor Okpebholo said Ighodalo and PDP are both free to appeal the ruling, as he assured them that they will fail at the Appeal Court.
He said, “The opposition party has been talking and shouting, but Edo people spoke very clearly and loudly with their votes on September 21, 2024. Edo people voted for the right person in Senator Monday Okpebholo. The people will speak again when the time is right.”
“We have defeated them at the Tribunal, and they said they want to appeal the ruling. If they like, let them appeal and even get to the Supreme Court. We will defeat them.”
“They have stolen enough money from Edo State. So, they are wasting the money on court cases. If they like, let them spend all the money they stole from the people. They will never steal Edo people’s mandates given to me and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the September 21st governorship election.”
Governor Okpebholo revealed plans by his administration to develop Esan land through road infrastructure, noting that his administration has awarded a contract to dualise the old road from Ekpoma to Ubiaja.
“As we won this election, the first thing we did was to make sure our roads were motorable across Edo State. If you come to Enewa now, it’s looking like Abuja, as we are putting our efforts to ensure we have good roads to boost economic activities.”
“I know the problem of Edo State and Esan land. I have already awarded the old road from Ekpoma to Ubiaja to be dualized. There will be much space to enable vehicles to pass freely without hitting each other. When completed, this road will boost economic activities in the area.”
“I am an Edo man, an Esan man, and I know the problem of Esan people. Today, I came to tell you people that the Tribunal has given us victory again after the September 21st governorship election.”
“The people have spoken, and by the grace of God, very soon, what we promised our people, they will start enjoying it.”
“The promise, like the soft loan, our people will soon start getting the money. They will soon start to enjoy it. It will start happening in less than two weeks.”
“The money is ready. Names are being compiled for the interested people who want the loan.”
Umar Musa Ikhilor, the secretary to the Edo State Government, told the Esan people that God had given them a double win in the governorship election on September 21st and in the election petition tribunal’s decision.
He mentioned that the election petition tribunal in Abuja had confirmed that Governor Monday Okpebholo, the victor of the governorship race, was the legitimate elected governor.
“God gave us a double victory on Wednesday at the Tribunal judgment. We are grateful to God Almighty and the people of Edo State for their continuous prayers and support,” he said.
Bawa Umar, the leader of the Arewa community in Esan land, praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for his efforts to bring about development, peace, and stability in Edo State following the Uromi massacres.
He said that the fact that he traveled to Kano State to offer condolences to the governor says a lot about him as a man of peace and a gentleman.
