The Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate in the September 2024 Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, has blasted the Supreme Court judgment affirming Senator Monday Okpebholo as the governor of the state.
He recently said that the ruling does not amount to justice, and Nigerians have been reacting.
After the apex court had dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal on Thursday, he described the election that took Okpebholo to office as a robbery.
According to him, what transpired in the September 2024 governorship election was not a contest, and it is a massive tragedy that the highest court in the land has backed what is a clear case of rigging.
He stated that while he accepts the court’s finality on the matter, he’ll never stop disagreeing with its outcome on the matter.
“Today, the Supreme Court has ruled. Though I accept the finality of its judgment, I do not and cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice.
What happened in the September 2024 governorship election was not a contest. It was a robbery. Coordinated. deliberate. And now, tragically validated by the highest court in the land.
While I will not and cannot obstruct any judicial pronouncement, no matter how flawed, I must never fear to speak truth to power.
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 further appreciated his supporters for their constant backing and love, promising that the struggle for a better Edo would continue.
Ighodalo concluded by saying that even though a painful chapter ended today, their beautiful story together will never end.
“You came out in hope. You voted for competence, for progress, for prosperity. And now, we are told that your voice does not matter. That your freely given mandate can be trampled without consequence.
I feel your pain. I share your anger. And I will never forget your courage.
Though this painful chapter closes today, our beautiful story does not end. The struggle to reclaim the soul of our beloved state continues.
Yes, dark days may lie ahead. The weight of this illegitimacy will, unfortunately, echo beyond the halls of the Supreme Court. I fear Edo will feel it in the absence of leadership, in the poverty of policy, and in the daily suffering of her people.
But we are neither 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 never forget.
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.
