Appeal Court Affirms Monday Okpebholo’s Victory in Edo Governorship Election

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Thursday upheld the election victory of Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, following the September 21, 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

A three-member panel led by Justice Mohamed Danjuma dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, who had challenged the election results.

The PDP had alleged irregularities such as over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act, but the court found these claims to be unsubstantiated.

Governor Okpebholo was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after securing 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo who received 247,274 votes.

This decision by the Court of Appeal follows the dismissal of the PDP’s petition by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal earlier in April 2025 for lack of merit.

The Court of Appeal ruling can still be challenged at the Supreme Court, which is the highest authority on election matters in Nigeria.