Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo have been advised by Blessing Agbomhere, the South-South Zonal Organizing Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), not to appeal the recent tribunal ruling that favored the APC and Governor Monday Okpebholo.
According to Agbomhere, there was insufficient evidence in the case at the tribunal; hence, any appeal would be pointless. In an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Agbomhere discussed the Edo State governorship election tribunal’s verdict and emphasized that Obaseki and Ighodalo had not provided sufficient evidence to back up their allegations, and the Court of First Instance primarily evaluates evidence.
“Without mincing words, we want to advise Governor Obaseki and Asue Ighodalo not to bother appealing this judgment because this is the Court of First Instance, and the Court of First Instance is the court of evidence. In this court, they were not able to adduce evidence to support their case,” he said.
He urged Obaseki and Ighodalo to focus their energies on the growth of Edo State rather than taking their case to the Supreme Court or the Appeal Court, arguing that doing so would be a waste of time and money.
“Going to the appeal and going to the Supreme Court, for me, I think it’s a waste of time for them, and it’s a waste of resources. And if they have these resources too much at their disposal, they can actually invest it in the lives of Edo people. So there’s no need to appeal this. What has happened has happened. I think they have to move on, and they don’t have to further display their desperation to seize the government of Edo State, because Edo people will not allow that to happen.”
Agbomhere also said that Edo residents had recognized Governor Okpebholo as their leader and rejected any attempt to question the legitimacy of his administration. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the continuous advancements in the state’s educational system and lauded Okpebholo’s leadership, especially in the area of education.
“As we speak, Senator Monday Okpebholo has already started administering the state. He’s doing well for Edo people, that as we speak today, Edo people are so glad that God gave them Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor. He has displayed so far that he’s a man who believes in the rule of law. He’s a man who believes in good governance, and he’s doing that with his leadership currently in the state.”
“If you go to Edo State today, you can see what is going on in the education sector, to the point that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had to applaud the efforts so far put in the educational system in Edo State. So for me, I just think that Asue should not waste this time.”
Encouraging unity, Agbomhere suggested that Ighodalo could still contribute to Edo’s progress without being governor.
“You must not contribute as a governor. If you truly want to serve, there are many roles—Special Adviser, Personal Assistant, Senator, or even Councillor. The best way to prove patriotism now is to join hands with Governor Okpebholo to develop Edo State for the good of all its people,” he said.
