From Romanus Ugwu, Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Godwin Tsa, Abuja, Tony Osauzo, Benin and Laide Raheem, Abeokuta

President Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Southern Governors’ Forum, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr.  Nyesom Wike and others have hailed the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 2024 governorship election.

A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba of the apex court, arrived at its unanimous decision after dismissing an appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate,  Asuerinme Ighodalo, to nullify the outcome of the governorship election held in the state on September 21, 2024.

The apex court said it found no reason to set aside the concurrent judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which returned Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the valid winner of the gubernatorial contest.

It also held that the PDP and its candidate failed to adduce credible and admissible evidence to substantiate their claim that the election was marred by irregularities, which included over-voting and substantial non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act.

It was the position of the Supreme Court that the appellants failed to call relevant witnesses to demonstrate some of the evidence he tendered in support of his case, especially the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines.

It held that some of the proof of evidence, which were tendered from the Bar, were merely dumped on the tribunal without establishing alleged non-compliance in 432 out of 4,519 polling units in the state.

“The appellant did not satisfactorily discharge the burden of proof placed on him by the law,” the Supreme Court held in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Garba.

In the appeal marked: SC/CV/536/2025, Ighodalo had prayed the court to invalidate the May 29 verdict of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his case and affirmed Okpebholo’s victory.

Reacting, President Bola Tinubu urged Governor Okpebholo to see the victory as a call to heightened service delivery.

“Now that the governor has cleared the legal hurdles, it is time for him to accelerate the delivery of exceptional services and good governance to the people of Edo State, which he has already begun to do.”

Tinubu also congratulated the leadership and members of the APC in Edo State, urging party cohesion and dedication to fulfilling the mandate entrusted on them by the electorate.

•APC hails

The APC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, commended the judiciary for its dedication, professionalism and commitment to the rule of law, constitutional order and defence of electoral democracy as demonstrated in the adjudication of the matter.

The party’s national leadership also noted that with the final judicial affirmation, Governor Okpebholo will expand and consolidate on the monumental development strides he has started since his inauguration.

“With this final judicial affirmation, Okpebholo is now poised to expand and consolidate on the monumental development strides he has started since his inauguration.

“We urge all concerned parties, particularly the opposition contenders to join hands with Governor Okpebholo as he works to deliver good governance and development for the shared progress of Edo state and her people,” the statement read.

•No distraction – Govs

Southern Governors’ Forum, in a statement by its chairman and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, said with the apex court’s verdict, Governor Okpebholo now has the opportunity to devote full attention to actualising the agenda for which the Edo electorate gave him an overwhelming mandate, without any political distractions.

“No doubt, this victory is great news for democracy in Nigeria, for the people of Edo State, for our great party, the All Progressives Congress, and for good governance and the development of our dear country.

“Democracy may be imperfect, but it represents the best form of government available to us as a people, and there is no doubt that this victory further consolidates and strengthens it in Nigeria.

“Significantly, the victory represents the arrival of good things for the great people of Edo State and Nigeria as a whole.

“I have no doubt that the expectations of the people will be fully met by the pro-people, focused and dynamic government of my dear brother, Governor Monday Okpebholo,” Abiodun stated.

•Wike hails victory

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr  Nyesom Wike, described the judgment as a final confirmation of the mandate freely given to the governor by the people of Edo.

He urged Okpebholo to remain focused and see the victory as a further call to selfless service to the people of Edo.

“This victory is for the people of Edo, who elected Okpebholo. It is a call for greater commitment to the service of the people.

“I congratulate the governor and urge him to keep doing his best for the upliftment of his people,” he said.

He also urged the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to join hands with Okpebholo to develop the state.

The minister said: “Now that a final answer has been provided as to the question of who actually won the governorship election, it behoves all opponents of the governor to join hands with him in the interest of Edo people.”

• Gov: New era for state

Governor Monday Okpebholo has hailed the affirmation of his election as a resounding win for the people and a call to action for the state’s transformation. He described the judgment as the ultimate vindication of the people’s will expressed during the September 2024 governorship election.

“About ten months ago, we won the most keenly contested governorship election in the history of our country. It was a contest in which an incumbent governor and his anointed candidate were firmly rejected by the people. Today, the Supreme Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has affirmed that historic victory.”

He dedicated the legal triumph to the people of Edo State, the All Progressive Congress (APC), his family and his team, expressed gratitude to God for sustaining him through the legal battle and thanked the judiciary for its unwavering commitment to justice.

“At last, Edo people have won. We won in September 2024. We won at the Tribunal. We won at the Court of Appeal. And now we have won at the Supreme Court. The long suspense is finally over.”

He acknowledged the collective frustration endured by citizens during the prolonged legal tussle and called for continued prayers and support as his administration begins tackling the development challenges facing the state.

In a sharp rebuke of past leadership, Governor Okpebholo lamented the degeneration of Edo into a hub of insecurity and lawlessness under the previous administration.

“Our state, once the heartbeat of the nation, became a shadow of itself, overtaken by criminals, cultism, greed, and fear. Our diaspora citizens avoided home, scared of kidnapping and violence. Our worship centres were desecrated, our women violated, and our youths murdered by untouchable gangs.

“But today, I boldly declare: Edo State is free of those vices. All security agencies are hereby placed on red alert to crush these evils and reclaim our streets permanently.”

Rejecting the notion of political speeches without action, the governor emphasised that the time for long rhetoric is over. His administration, he stressed, is focused on results with a clear five-point development agenda driving his governance priorities.

Okpebholo reiterated his promise of a reconciliatory and inclusive government, stating that nothing meaningful can be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour.

“This judgment marks the end of the elections in Edo State. At every judicial level, from the Tribunal to the Supreme Court, the decision was unanimous: Asue Ighodalo and his PDP co-travellers were roundly defeated.

“What remains now is to repair the damage done by the Obaseki regime, ensure accountability, and reposition our state for the future.”

The governor paid glowing tribute to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing him as “a father, mentor, and visionary leader,” whose Renewed Hope Agenda continues to reshape Nigeria. “Edo must align fully with that national vision,” Okpebholo affirmed.

He also extended gratitude to the revered Oba of Benin for his prayers and fatherly guidance, and to the APC family and loyal supporters who “fought the good fight and delivered victory.”

Governor Okpebholo urged all Edo citizens to set aside divisions and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous state.

•History ‘ll deliver its verdict –Ighodalo

Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Asue Ighodalo, has described the judgment of the Supreme Court which affirmed the victory of Governor Okpebholo as a gross betrayal, insisting that history would deliver its verdict.

In a statement, he said though he has accepted the finality of the judgment, he does not and cannot pretend that what was delivered amounted to justice.

He said: “What happened in the September 2024 governorship election was not a contest. It was a robbery. Coordinated. Deliberate. And now, tragically validated by the highest court in the land. While I will not and cannot obstruct any judicial pronouncement, no matter how flawed, I must never fear to speak truth to power.

“Like you, I feel a deep sense of betrayal. Not just by those who rigged the process, but by the very institutions we trusted to protect our democracy. You came out in hope. You voted for competence, for progress, for prosperity. And now, we are told that your voice does not matter. That your freely given mandate can be trampled without consequence. I feel your pain. I share your anger. And I will never forget your courage.

“To every young person who saw in this moment the birth of a new Edo. To every elder who longed to see our state rise again. To every woman and man who prayed, campaigned, and voted. We may not have won the office, but we won something greater. We found one another. We discovered our collective strength.

“Though this painful chapter closes today, our beautiful story does not end. The struggle to reclaim the soul of our beloved state continues.

“Yes, dark days may lie ahead. The weight of this illegitimacy will, unfortunately, echo beyond the halls of the Supreme Court. I fear Edo will feel it in the absence of leadership, in the poverty of policy, and in the daily suffering of her people.

“But, we are neither fearful nor a broken people. We may be wounded. But all wounds heal.

“So, let this be our vow. We will not retreat. We will not be silenced. And we will never forget.

“To those who now hold power undeserved, lead with humility. Govern with conscience. History sees what the courts may not. And one day, it will deliver its own verdict”.