PDP’s Ighodalo heads to Appeal Court after Tribunal upholds Gov Okpebholo’s victory

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has announced his decision to challenge the verdict of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld Monday Okpebholo’s victory.

In a statement issued hours after the ruling on Wednesday, Ighodalo described the tribunal’s decision as a “travesty of justice” and affirmed his commitment to pursuing the case at the Court of Appeal.

“I have instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision. This is not about me or any single individual; it is about the very essence of democracy and the right of the people to freely determine their future,” he said.

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The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed Ighodalo’s petition on the grounds that it lacked merit and failed to provide credible witnesses to support claims of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

Despite the setback, Ighodalo urged his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding.

“As a firm believer in democracy, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man. I urge the good people of Edo State to stay calm. This is not the end of our journey but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice and the sanctity of the people’s mandate,” he added.

He reaffirmed that his campaign was never about personal ambition but about a shared vision for a more prosperous Edo State.

“We remain resolute and unwavering in our pursuit of truth and justice,” Ighodalo declared.

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