In a passionate and strongly worded reaction to the Supreme Court’s judgment affirming the election of Monday Okpebholo as governor of Edo State, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s candidate in the September 2024 governorship poll, has expressed profound disappointment, calling the court’s ruling a betrayal of the democratic process.
In a personal statement issued on Thursday and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ighodalo acknowledged the Supreme Court’s finality but lamented that the judgment delivered did not, in his view, represent true justice. “Though I accept the finality of the judgment, I do not and cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice,” he said.
Reflecting on the election, Ighodalo described the process not as a democratic contest but a systematic manipulation. “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 declared.
While stressing his respect for judicial authority, Ighodalo maintained that he would not shy away from expressing his views about the flaws he believes marred the election process and the judiciary’s response. “While I will not and can not obstruct any judicial pronouncement, no matter how flawed, I must never fear to speak truth to power.”
He expressed a deep sense of disillusionment not only with the conduct of the election but also with the institutions meant to safeguard democracy, suggesting that the judiciary had failed the people. “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.”
Addressing the people of Edo State directly, Ighodalo commended their courage and hope, reiterating that although they may not have secured electoral victory, they had achieved something more powerful — a renewed sense of unity and collective purpose. “You came out in hope. You voted for competence, for progress, for prosperity. And now, we are told that your voice does not matter… But we won something greater. We found one another. We discovered our collective strength.”
His remarks also conveyed a mix of sorrow and determination, particularly for the future of Edo’s youth and the state’s potential. “To every young person who saw in this moment the birth of a new Edo… though this painful chapter closes today, our beautiful story does not end.”
Ighodalo assured supporters that his resolve to work for a better Edo remains unshaken, even in the face of this judicial loss. “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.”
He further warned that the cost of what he called an “undue mandate” may manifest in governance deficiencies. “I fear Edo will feel it in the absence of leadership, in the poverty of policy, and in the daily suffering of her people.”
Despite the disappointment, Ighodalo encouraged his supporters not to lose faith, emphasizing resilience. “We are neither a fearful nor a broken people. We may be wounded. But all wounds heal… We will not retreat. We will not be silenced. And we will never forget.”
In closing, he addressed the new governor directly, urging him to lead with honor and conscience, mindful of the judgment of history. “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.”
What you should know
Asue Ighodalo, PDP’s candidate in the Edo 2024 governorship election, has openly criticized the Supreme Court’s judgment that affirmed Monday Okpebholo as governor, labeling the election a “coordinated robbery.”
While acknowledging the court’s authority, he vowed to continue advocating for democratic values and urged citizens not to lose hope in the future of Edo State.
