Ighodalo Rejects Supreme Court Ruling, Calls Edo Election a Coordinated Robbery

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has reacted sharply to Thursday’s Supreme Court judgment affirming Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as governor of the state.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Lawal, dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal for lacking merit. The court held that the PDP candidate failed to prove his allegations of electoral malpractice, unlawful votes, and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.

But in a strongly worded statement issued shortly after the ruling, Ighodalo expressed deep disappointment, accusing both the electoral process and the judiciary of betraying the will of the people.

“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,” he said.

He maintained that the September 22, 2024 governorship poll was not a genuine contest, but a “deliberate and coordinated robbery,” further accusing the APC of rigging the election in its favour—though he did not provide evidence to support his claim.

“We are neither a fearful nor broken people. We may be wounded. But all wounds heal. So let this be our vow. We will not retreat. We will not be silenced. And we will not forget,” he declared.

While acknowledging the finality of the Supreme Court ruling, Ighodalo said he would not pretend that the outcome amounted to justice.

His full statement, titled Final Statement on the Supreme Court Judgement in the Edo Governorship Election Petition, remains a passionate reflection of his conviction that the mandate of the people was denied. In it, he paid tribute to his supporters, especially the youth and elders who hoped for change, describing the loss as a painful chapter but not the end of their collective journey.

“To those who now hold power undeserved, lead with humility. Govern with conscience. History sees what the courts may not. And one day, it will deliver its own verdict,” he added.