Tribunal Ruling: Edo PDP, Ighodalo Kick, Head To Appeal Court
The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2024 governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, have rejected the Wednesday verdict of the State’s Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, describing it as a “huge travesty of justice.”
In a statement signed by the State Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, the PDP expressed its respect for the judiciary but emphasized its disagreement with the Tribunal’s decision. The party vowed to challenge the outcome at the Court of Appeal.
“We believe without any doubt that our candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was duly elected by the majority of voters in that election and are certain that we sufficiently proved our case before the Tribunal,” Aziegbemi said.
The party further rallied its members to rise up from this setback, affirming its intention to pursue the matter at the Appeal Court.
Dr. Ighodalo, in a separate statement, also voiced his disagreement with the judgment but reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law. He vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
While urging his supporters to remain peaceful and law-abiding, Ighodalo stressed that the fight to reclaim what he called 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.
Ighodalo clarified that the case was not about personal ambition but about defending democratic principles and ensuring that Edo people’s votes truly 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 said.
The PDP candidate also thanked his supporters for their unwavering belief in his vision for a prosperous Edo State, assuring them that he would 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 challenging the electoral victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), upholding his victory as valid.
As the legal battle now moves to the appellate court, political observers anticipate heightened tensions, though Ighodalo has urged calm and asked Edo people to trust the judicial process.
