Tribunal Ruling: Edo PDP, Ighodalo Kick, Head To Appeal Court

Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2024 governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, have rejected the Wednesday’s verdict of the State’s Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, describing it as a “huge travesty of justice.”

The party, in a statement signed by the State Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, said despite its respect for the judiciary, it completely disagreed with the decision of the Tribunal and vowed to challenge the outcome at the Court of Appeal.

“We believe without any doubt that our candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in the election was duly elected by the majority of the voters in that election and are certain that we sufficiently proved our case before the Tribunal.

“It is on the back of this conviction that we call on our members to quickly rise up from the ashes of this temporary setback as we take our matter to the Appeal Court,” Aziegbemi stated.

Also, Ighodalo, in separate statement, also expressed disagreement with the judgement but reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law and vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

While urging his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, Ighodalo insisted that the struggle to reclaim what he described as the “people’s stolen mandate” was far from over.

“This is not the end of our journey, but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate freely conferred on my running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, and I on the platform of our great Party, the PDP,” he declared.

The PDP candidate maintained that the case was not about personal ambition but about upholding democratic principles and ensuring that Edo people’s votes count.

“I have instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal because this is about the very essence of democracy – the right of the people to freely choose their leaders,” he stated.

Ighodalo thanked his supporters for their unwavering belief in his vision for a prosperous Edo State and assured them of his determination to pursue justice to the end.

“We remain resolute. We remain committed. And we shall not waver in our pursuit of truth and justice,” he affirmed.

LEADERSHIP reports that the Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, had dismissed the PDP’s petition against the electoral victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), affirming the latter as duly elected.

As the legal battle shifts to the appellate court, political observers anticipate heightened tensions, though Ighodalo has called for calm, urging Edo people to trust the judicial process.