The South-South Zonal Organising Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Blessing Agbomhere, has advised former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki and the People Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against appealing the recent tribunal judgment in favour of the APC and Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Agbomhere said the case lacked sufficient evidence at the tribunal, making any appeal a futile exercise.
Speaking on the outcome of the Edo State governorship election tribunal during an interview with ARISE NEWS on Thursday, Agbomhere emphasised that the Court of First Instance primarily considers evidence, and Obaseki and Ighodalo failed to present substantial proof to support their claims.
“Without mincing words, we want to advise Governor Obaseki and Asue Ighodalo not to bother appealing this judgment because this is the Court of First Instance, and the Court of First Instance is the court of evidence. In this court, they were not able to adduce evidence to support their case,” he said.
He argued that proceeding to the Appeal Court or the Supreme Court would be a waste of time and resources, urging Obaseki and Ighodalo to redirect their efforts toward the development of Edo State instead.
“Going to the appeal and going to the Supreme Court, for me, I think it’s a waste of time for them, and it’s a waste of resources. And if they have these resources too much at their disposal, they can actually invest it in the lives of Edo people. So there’s no need to appeal this. What has happened has happened. I think they have to move on, and they don’t have to further display their desperation to seize the government of Edo State, because Edo people will not allow that to happen.”
Agbomhere also dismissed any attempt to challenge the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo’s administration, asserting that Edo residents have accepted him as their leader. He praised Okpebholo’s governance, particularly in the education sector, highlighting the commendation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing improvements in the state’s educational system.
“As we speak, Senator Monday Okpebholo has already started administering the state. He’s doing well for Edo people, that as we speak today, Edo people are so glad that God gave them Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor. He has displayed so far that he’s a man who believes in the rule of law. He’s a man who believes in good governance, and he’s doing that with his leadership currently in the state.
“If you go to Edo State today, you can see what is going on in the education sector, to the point that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had to applaud the efforts so far put in the educational system in Edo State. So for me, I just think that Asue should not waste this time.”
Encouraging unity, Agbomhere suggested that Ighodalo could still contribute to Edo’s progress without being governor.
“You must not contribute as a governor. If you truly want to serve, there are many roles—Special Adviser, Personal Assistant, Senator, or even Councillor. The best way to prove patriotism now is to join hands with Governor Okpebholo to develop Edo State for the good of all its people,” he said.
