Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, the state chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate contesting the election victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo, as the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal gets ready to deliver its ruling in Abuja on Wednesday.
Tenebe urged Edo State residents to maintain their composure while addressing reporters in Abuja on Tuesday, promising that Governor Okpebholo and the APC would win the trial.
He accused the opposition party’s leadership of planning to start a crisis and render Edo unruly, claiming that they were involved in a scheme to destabilize the state.
“Their sinister objective is clear—they want to force President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Edo State because they have no confidence in securing victory at the Election Petition Tribunal,” Tenebe claimed. “In their desperation, they have resorted to acts of sabotage, hoping to manipulate public perception and judicial sentiment in their favour.”
He further charged the opposing party with trying to use dishonesty and instability to sway the verdict by taking advantage of the tribunal’s makeup, which includes two Northern judges.
Tenebe emphasized that terrorism and violent attacks against the peace of the state and the country would not be accepted and called for prompt response, urging security authorities to apprehend anyone participating in treasonous crimes right once.
“As a political party, we will formally write to foreign missions, embassies, and other international bodies to extradite those inciting the public to commit acts of terrorism. They must be repatriated to Nigeria to face terrorism charges,” he stated.
Insisting that Governor Okpebholo’s victory was a manifestation of the people’s mandate, the APC chairman reaffirmed his conviction that no amount of coercion or threats would change the outcome in favor of the opposition.
“Let me make it categorically clear—no amount of blackmail, intimidation, or desperate orchestration will stop Governor Monday Okpebholo from emerging victorious at the tribunal on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The people of Edo have spoken, and their mandate will not be stolen through underhanded tactics,” he declared.
Tenebe said that any attempt to sabotage the election process will just make the APC and the people of Edo State more determined. Tenebe concluded by restating the party’s dedication to democracy, justice, and the rule of law.
