By Erewunmi Peace

In a landmark ruling delivered today, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo State, putting an end to months of legal battle following the 2024 gubernatorial polls.

Delivering the unanimous judgment, a five-member panel of the apex court led by Justice Mohammed Garba dismissed the appeal filed by Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), citing lack of merit.

Justice Garba stated that the appellants failed to provide sufficient evidence to prove allegations of electoral irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. He affirmed the decisions of both the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, which had earlier upheld Okpebholo’s victory.

Okpebholo, who contested under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the 2024 governorship election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), defeating his closest rival Asue Ighodalo.

Reacting to the verdict, Governor Okpebholo expressed gratitude to God, the judiciary, and the people of Edo State for their steadfast support. “This is a victory for democracy, for justice, and for all Edo people who believe in our vision of a better future,” he said in a statement shortly after the judgment.

This ruling officially seals Okpebholo’s mandate, allowing him to focus fully on governance and the implementation of his campaign promises.