President Tinubu congratulates Okpebholo on Supreme Court victory, urges focus on development

By Kunle Sanni –

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on his victory at the Supreme Court, urging him to use the legal triumph as a catalyst to fast-track development in the state.

The President’s message was conveyed in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by his spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.

Tinubu described the apex court’s verdict as a boost for governance and urged Governor Okpebholo to be magnanimous in victory by uniting all Edo citizens behind a common vision for progress.

“Now that the governor has cleared the legal hurdles, it is time for him to accelerate the delivery of exceptional services and good governance to the people of Edo State, which he has already begun to do,” the President stated.

He also extended his congratulations to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, encouraging party members to remain united and committed to fulfilling the people’s mandate.

The Supreme Court on Thursday affirmed Okpebholo’s election in a unanimous decision delivered by a five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba. The court dismissed the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, describing it as lacking merit.

According to the judgment, the apex court found no reason to overturn the earlier rulings of the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, both of which upheld Okpebholo’s election as valid.

The court ruled that the PDP candidate failed to provide credible and admissible evidence to support claims of electoral irregularities, including over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the September 21, 2024, governorship election.