By DADA AYOKHAI
The ongoing election case between the PDP candidate and the current governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is far from over.
Barrister Asue Ighodalo, the PDP gubernatorial candidate for the September 21 Edo governorship election, has faced two setbacks in court but remains determined not to give up on his pursuit of justice.
A three-judge panel of the Appeal Court, sitting in Abuja, upheld the previous ruling of the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal, which had earlier struck out Ighodalo’s petition regarding the September 21 governorship election.
Expressing disappointment with the Appeal Court judgment that dismissed his case and ruled in favour of his APC opponent, Ighodalo stated that he is prepared to continue fighting until the end.
Making a veiled reference to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the country, he stated that he is committed to further pursuing his case, asserting that it has merit.
In a lengthy but powerful statement, Ighodalo expressed his disagreement with the Appeal Court’s decision, while also affirming his faith in the judiciary despite this setback.
He said, “Today, the Appeal Court delivered its judgment on our petition challenging the declared outcome of the September 21, 2024, Edo State Governorship election. While we received this decision with deep disappointment, we are unwavering in our resolve to continue our pursuit of justice.
”Although we acknowledge the Court’s pronouncement, we believe this judgment, like that of the Tribunal before it, failed to address the significant concerns we raised regarding widespread non-compliance and clear violations of the Electoral Act. These decisions appear, worryingly, to validate a dangerous pattern of electoral impunity that strikes at the very heart of our democracy and continues to erode public confidence in our electoral process.”
Bar Ighodalo emphasized that the struggle to reclaim the stolen mandate has never been about personal ambition.
Instead, he said it was about standing with the people of Edo State and defending their sacred right to freely choose their leaders through a credible, transparent, and fair election.
He further noted that this right was blatantly subverted on September 21, 2024.
He also pointed out that the decisions made by both the Tribunal and the Court of Appeal, although rendered in the name of the law, in effect ignored the will of the people and went ahead to reward clear electoral irregularities.
Referring to himself and his supporters as “democrats and patriots,” Bar Ighodalo affirmed their unwavering faith in the rule of law.
He, however, added that they will not overlook this injustice or allow it to go unchallenged, stating further that he has directed his legal team to approach the Supreme Court of Nigeria to seek redress.
Bar Ighodalo explained that their decision to seek redress in the Supreme Court is based on three grounds: first, for the voters who queued patiently with hope in their hearts; second, for every young person who dreams of a better Edo; and third, for every Nigerian who believes that democracy must be practised effectively to yield a great country
He also expressed optimism about a potential positive outcome in the Supreme Court, stating that they will approach the apex court with full confidence in its integrity, independence, and role as the final guardian of justice in our Republic.
He was emphatic that by the time the case is adjudicated by the Supreme Court, the judges would not only consider the letters of the law but also its broader implications for democracy, justice, and public trust.
Edo Guber; Ighodalo Expresses Disappointment in Appeal Court judgement,
