Ighodalo Rejects Edo Tribunal Ruling, Heads to Appeal Court over “Travesty of Justice”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has rejected the ruling of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, vowing to challenge it at the Court of Appeal.

The three-man tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, on Wednesday upheld the declaration of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the rightful winner of the election, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement personally signed by Ighodalo on Wednesday night, he described the tribunal’s judgment as a “travesty of justice” and insisted that the people’s mandate must be protected.

“This is Not the End” – Ighodalo Declares

Ighodalo emphasized that the right of the Edo people to elect their leaders through a credible, free, and fair electoral process must never be compromised.

He reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and the rule of law while urging his supporters to remain peaceful.

“As an avowed democrat, I respect the judiciary as the hope of the common man, and I urge all of you, our good people of Edo State, to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding,” he stated.

However, he maintained that the tribunal’s ruling was just the beginning of a more significant legal battle.

READ ALSO: Ighodalo slams Okpebholo for Tribunal bribery claim, calls it desperate Judiciary attack

“This is not the end of our journey, but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate freely conferred on my running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, and me on the platform of our great Party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).”

Legal Battle Moves to Appeal Court

Ighodalo confirmed that he had instructed his legal team to escalate the case to the Court of Appeal. He argued that his fight was not merely personal but a collective effort to safeguard the democratic rights of Edo 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,” he said.

“For us, this has never been about personal ambition but about our conviction to create a clear Pathway to Prosperity for all Edo people while upholding the foundational values of democracy, justice, and the will of the people,” he added.

Commitment to Justice and Democracy

Ighodalo reassured his supporters that the struggle for justice would continue with unwavering determination.

“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,” he asserted.

The PDP candidate’s strong response signals a prolonged legal tussle as the case moves to the appellate court, setting the stage for another showdown in the battle for Edo State’s governorship seat.