Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki says he has placed the legal outcome of the September 2024 governorship election in God’s hands, trusting divine justice will prevail.
This comment came after the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, affirming the election of APC’s Monday Okpebholo, a decision earlier upheld by the Court of Appeal.
While reacting to the apex court’s ruling, Obaseki expressed his belief that “the election was won by the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Asue Ighodalo,” but said that he and his supporters are “bound by the verdict of the apex court.”
“I am profoundly grateful to the good people of Edo State and Nigerians for their overwhelming support for the victory, which we believe our party … won in the Edo State Governorship Election which took place on September 21, 2024.”
Obaseki added that despite believing the results were manipulated, he respected the judiciary system.
“Although we strongly disagree with the decision of the Supreme Court, but as adherents to the rule of law, we are bound by their verdict.”
He also warned that the way the election was conducted and then judicially validated “portends grave danger for Nigeria’s democracy.”
Nevertheless, he urged people of faith to hold onto hope and patience.
“As people of faith, we leave our matter in God’s hands, trusting that only He knows the appropriate time and manner to deliver divine justice and redemption to our people. I encourage our people to keep hope alive as we persist in the struggle to redeem our fatherland.”
A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba Lawal ruled that the PDP and Ighodalo failed to prove claims of election non-compliance and unlawful votes, concluding that Okpebholo was duly elected.
The appeal was dismissed for lacking merit.
The verdict follows the Independent National Electoral Commission’s official announcement that Okpebholo won with 291,667 votes, against Ighodalo’s 247,274.
Though dissatisfied, Ighodalo acknowledged the decision publicly: “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.”
Meanwhile, Okpebholo extended a peace gesture to his political rivals.
“The elections are over; the real work of governance and healing must begin,” he said in a statement released via his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua.
