Senate President Godswill Akpabio has congratulated Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State after the Supreme Court affirmed his victory in the September 2024 gubernatorial election. Akpabio described the court’s decision as a triumph for democracy and the will of the people. He emphasized that the election was transparent, free, and fair, reflecting the choice of the majority of Edo State citizens.

The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal filed by Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), upholding the concurrent judgments of the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had declared Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the valid winner of the gubernatorial contest. The court found that Ighodalo’s appeal lacked merit and sufficient proof. Justice Mohammed Garba led the five-member panel that delivered the unanimous decision, holding that the appellant did not satisfactorily discharge the burden of proof placed on him by the law.

Akpabio expressed confidence in Okpebholo’s ability to continue delivering exceptional service to the people of Edo State, assuring him of the Senate’s support and collaboration in ensuring the state’s progress and development. He also noted that the ruling reaffirmed the growing acceptance of the APC in Edo State.

Okpebholo welcomed the Supreme Court’s verdict and extended an olive branch to his opponents, calling for unity and collaboration to build a greater Edo State. He dedicated the victory to the people of Edo State and thanked the judiciary for its commitment to justice. Ighodalo, while accepting the finality of the Supreme Court’s decision, expressed his disappointment with the outcome.