The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 Edo State election, Asue Ighodalo, has vowed to challenge the verdict of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal at the Court of Appeal.
Ighodalo made this declaration in a statement on Wednesday, just hours after the tribunal affirmed Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected governor.
He described the tribunal’s decision as a “huge travesty of justice” and emphasized that the battle is not merely personal but a fight for democracy and the collective rights of the people.
“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a huge travesty of justice,” Ighodalo said. “This is not about me or any single individual; it is about the very essence of democracy, the preservation of our collective right to freely determine our future, and the legacy we leave for generations unborn.”
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed Ighodalo’s petition for lacking merit and failing to present credible witnesses to substantiate allegations of non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Despite the setback, Ighodalo urged his supporters and party faithful to remain calm and law-abiding while pursuing justice through lawful means.
“As an avowed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, and I urge all of you, our dear good people of Edo State, to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding in the aftermath of this judgement,” he stated.
The PDP candidate also reaffirmed his commitment to the party’s vision of prosperity for Edo State and maintained that the struggle for justice would continue despite the tribunal’s decision.
“From the very beginning, our massive show of support, sincere love, and belief in a shared vision for a prosperous Edo State have driven this journey. This has never been about personal ambition but a commitment to creating a clear pathway to prosperity while upholding the foundational values of democracy, justice, and the will of the people,” Ighodalo added.
He reiterated his resolve to remain steadfast in pursuing the truth and ensuring justice prevails.
Comments