ABUJA – The Supreme Court has affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo from Edo State, dismissing an appeal from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Asuerinme Ighodalo. In a unanimous decision made by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba, the court found Ighodalo’s claims of electoral irregularities to be unsubstantiated.
The court supported the previous judgments of both the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had already validated Okpebholo’s election victory. The Supreme Court noted that the appellant failed to present credible evidence and relevant witnesses to support his allegations.
Ighodalo’s appeal sought to overturn the May 29 decision of the Court of Appeal, claiming the election was not conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act. However, the Supreme Court confirmed that he did not meet the necessary burden of proof.
