The Edo State governorship election of September 21, 2024, became a subject of intense legal battles, pitting the incumbent Governor, Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), against Asue Ighodalo of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Following Okpebholo’s declared victory by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the PDP and Ighodalo initiated legal proceedings, alleging irregularities, including over-voting, non-serialization of ballots, and incorrect collation of figures across numerous polling units. Their petition sought the nullification of the election results and a declaration of Ighodalo as the rightful winner.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the PDP’s petition on April 2, 2025. The tribunal’s unanimous decision hinged on the petitioners’ failure to substantiate their claims of over-voting, a central argument in their case. This initial setback for the PDP did not deter them from pursuing further legal recourse. They subsequently appealed the tribunal’s decision to the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal Abuja Division, on May 29, 2025, upheld the tribunal’s ruling, further solidifying Okpebholo’s victory. The appellate court, in a unanimous decision, dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal, deeming it lacking in merit. The consistent affirmation of the election outcome by two separate judicial bodies underscored the perceived strength of Okpebholo’s defense and the perceived weakness of the PDP’s evidence.
Undeterred by the consecutive losses, the PDP and Ighodalo escalated their legal challenge to the Supreme Court, the final arbiter in the Nigerian judicial system. Their hope remained that the apex court would overturn the previous judgments and declare Ighodalo the victor. The Supreme Court, after hearing arguments from all parties involved, reserved judgment, promising to communicate the date of its delivery to the parties in due course. This left both the APC and PDP in a state of anticipation, each confident that the final verdict would favor their candidate.
Leading up to the Supreme Court hearing, both parties expressed optimism. Tony Aziegbemi, chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Edo State, articulated the party’s expectation that the Supreme Court would ultimately rule in their favor, declaring Ighodalo the rightful winner. Conversely, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, Publicity Secretary of the Edo APC, expressed confidence in the judiciary’s consistency and anticipated a victory for his party and its candidate. He emphasized the principle that “he who alleges must prove,” arguing that the PDP had failed to provide sufficient evidence to support their claims of electoral malpractice.
The Supreme Court hearing, presided over by Justice Garba Lawal, involved the presentation of arguments from both sides. Ken Mozia (SAN), representing Ighodalo, urged the court to set aside the judgments of the lower courts. Kanu Agabi (SAN), representing INEC, countered by arguing for the dismissal of the appeal, emphasizing the inconsistency of the PDP’s argument in challenging an election they simultaneously claimed was invalid. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Emmanuel Okala (SAN), representing Okpebholo and the APC respectively, also urged the court to dismiss the appeal. With all arguments presented, the Supreme Court reserved judgment, leaving the final outcome and the future of Edo State’s governorship in suspense.
