Senate President, Godswill Akpabio has extended his warm congratulations to Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his election victory in the September 2024 gubernatorial poll. Akpabio described the court’s verdict as a resounding victory for democracy and a reflection of the true will of the Edo people.

In a personally signed statement released on Friday from Abuja, the Senate President described the apex court’s ruling as a victory for democracy and a reaffirmation of the will of the Edo people. The statement followed the Supreme Court’s unanimous decision dismissing the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, who sought to nullify the results of the election.

Akpabio, a former governor and prominent figure in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), said the judgment confirmed that the election was conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.

“What the apex court in the land has done is to affirm the will and wishes of the overwhelming majority of the people of Edo State. It shows that the election was transparent, free, and fair,” Akpabio stated.

He further noted that the verdict highlights Senator Okpebholo’s strong grassroots connection and widespread popularity across the state. According to Akpabio, the people of Edo have spoken decisively in favour of a leader who truly understands their needs and aspirations.

“The declaration by the Supreme Court in favour of Sen. Okpebholo against Mr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party has proven that elections are won at the ballot and by people who have identified with the grassroots.”

The Senate President used the opportunity to commend the judiciary for its impartiality and commitment to justice, stressing that the judgment would deepen democratic values and strengthen public trust in Nigeria’s electoral system.

Akpabio also applauded the performance of Governor Okpebholo during the early months of his administration, expressing confidence that the newly confirmed mandate would empower him to deliver even greater results for the people of Edo State.

“This milestone affirms Okpebholo’s mandate and paves the way for him to continue delivering exceptional service to the good people of Edo. He has done well in the past seven months, and I believe he will do excellently well in his four-year tenure.”

In his message, Akpabio extended personal congratulations on behalf of his family, his senatorial constituents, and the entire Nigerian Senate. He reiterated his commitment to working closely with the Edo State government to ensure sustainable development and progress.

“My distinguished brother, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, on behalf of my family and constituents, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I extend my warmest congratulations to you and the wonderful people of Edo on this landmark victory at the Supreme Court. Congratulations once again, Gov. Okpebholo. I look forward to a robust working relationship with you.”

The Supreme Court’s judgment, delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, put an end to months of legal disputes following the tightly contested gubernatorial election held in September 2024.

The panel unanimously ruled that the appeal filed by Mr. Ighodalo of the PDP lacked merit. The court stated that the appellant failed to provide sufficient and credible evidence to support his claims of widespread irregularities, including over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

The apex court also noted that many of the documents tendered by the PDP were not backed by credible witness testimonies. In particular, the court criticised the dumping of evidence especially documents related to the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) on the tribunal without any meaningful effort to prove non-compliance in the 432 polling units cited.

“The Appellant failed to adduce credible and admissible evidence to substantiate his claim,” the court stated, adding that the lower courts were right in upholding Okpebholo’s election.

This judgment reaffirms the earlier decisions of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, both of which upheld Senator Okpebholo’s election victory as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

The ruling by the Supreme Court is being viewed by political analysts as a significant victory for the APC in Edo State, which has long been considered a stronghold of the opposition PDP. Governor Okpebholo’s legal victory now clears the path for him to focus fully on governance, free of the distractions and uncertainties of the election petition process.

The decision is also seen as a broader endorsement of the reforms introduced in Nigeria’s electoral process, particularly the use of BVAS and other digital tools aimed at ensuring electoral transparency.

With the legal battles now concluded, attention will likely shift to how Governor Okpebholo consolidates his political capital to deliver on his promises and further entrench the APC’s influence in the state ahead of future elections.