Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State, has expressed profound disappointment following the Supreme Court’s judgment that upheld the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a strongly worded statement personally signed and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, Ighodalo said while he accepts the finality of the apex court’s decision, he believes the judgment fell short of delivering true justice.
“My dear people of Edo State, today, the Supreme Court has ruled. 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,” he said.
While maintaining that he would not obstruct judicial decisions, Ighodalo insisted he would never shy away from speaking truth to power.
“Like you, I feel a deep sense of betrayal. Not just by those who manipulated the electoral process, but by the very institutions we trusted to safeguard our democracy. You came out in hope, voted for competence, progress, and prosperity — yet your voices were dismissed,” he lamented.
Ighodalo extended his gratitude to supporters, especially the youths, elders, and voters who stood by him during the election.
“We may not have won the office, but we won something greater — we found one another and discovered our collective strength,” he stated.
Despite the loss, the PDP candidate vowed to remain committed to the struggle for a better Edo State.
“The struggle to reclaim the soul of our beloved state continues. Yes, dark days may lie ahead, and Edo may feel the weight of this illegitimacy in poor leadership and worsening conditions. But we are neither a fearful nor a broken people,” he added.
Addressing the newly affirmed Governor, Ighodalo advised Okpebholo to lead with humility and a sense of responsibility.
“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 concluded.
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