The political drama in Edo State has taken another turn as the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday, May 29, 2025, affirmed Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo State.
The judgment dismissed the appeal filed by Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Appeal Court Dismisses Ighodalo’s Case
A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Mohammed Danjuma, unanimously ruled that the appeal lacked merit. According to the court, the PDP candidate failed to prove that the election tribunal’s decision was flawed in law or fact.
This ruling upholds the earlier verdict of the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which in April 2025 had already dismissed Ighodalo’s petition challenging Okpebholo’s victory.
Tribunal Had Earlier Faulted PDP’s Evidence
The tribunal, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, faulted the PDP’s case for failing to present competent witnesses or concrete evidence. In its April ruling, the tribunal stated that allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act must be backed by credible proof — something Ighodalo’s legal team failed to provide.
The tribunal noted that the PDP did not bring forward polling unit officers, presiding officials, or even voters to support their claims. This, the panel said, was fatal to their case.
Ighodalo Rejects Judgment, Heads to Supreme Court
Despite the two losses — at the tribunal and now the Appeal Court — Mr. Asue Ighodalo remains defiant. Shortly after the ruling, he announced his intention to challenge the verdict at the Supreme Court, the final arbiter in electoral disputes.
This move means the legal tussle over who governs Edo State is not yet over, even though the governor has been sworn in and continues to carry out his duties.
Okpebholo’s Electoral Victory: A Quick Recap
In the September 21, 2024, governorship election, Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerged victorious with 291,667 votes. He defeated PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, who scored 247,274 votes, while Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party came a distant third with 22,763 votes.
The APC secured victory in over 10 of Edo’s 18 local government areas, winning in two out of the three senatorial districts, consolidating its control over the state’s political terrain.
Following his victory, Okpebholo was sworn in as Governor on November 12, 2024, officially succeeding Godwin Obaseki, who completed his tenure under the PDP banner.
What Next for Edo Politics?
With the Supreme Court now set to hear Ighodalo’s final appeal, political watchers are closely monitoring how this legal battle will end. However, for now, the Court of Appeal’s ruling stands as a strong validation of the electoral mandate given to Governor Okpebholo by the people of Edo State.
Regardless of the outcome at the apex court, one thing remains clear — Edo State’s political landscape is changing, and the decisions made in the months ahead could shape the future of governance and democracy in the state.
Key Takeaways:
- The Court of Appeal upheld Okpebholo’s election, dismissing Ighodalo’s appeal.
- The ruling reaffirms the tribunal’s earlier decision made in April 2025.
- Ighodalo has vowed to approach the Supreme Court.
- Okpebholo continues to govern, having been sworn in since November 2024.
For updates on the Supreme Court hearing and more stories on Nigerian politics, stay tuned to EdoToday.com — your trusted source for real-time political news and analysis.
