The All Progressives Congress (APC) has congratulated Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo and his Deputy Denis Idahosa on their Court of Appeal victory, which upheld their win in the September 21, 2024, governorship election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has extended its congratulations to the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, and his Deputy, Denis Idahosa, following their recent victory at the Court of Appeal.

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This affirmation solidifies their win in the Edo State governorship election held on September 21, 2024.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, conveyed the congratulatory message in a statement, attributing the appellate court’s judgment to the judiciary’s independence and professionalism.

“Our great Party applauds the judiciary for its display of independence and professionalism in its decision, again, affirming the will of the good people of Edo State,” Morka stated.

He expressed confidence that this legal triumph would further empower Governor Okpebholo, whose “transformational leadership is resonating across the state, to double down on delivering the dividends of democracy to the Edo people.”

The APC also issued a call for reconciliation and unity, urging the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to accept the judgment.

Our great Party applauds the judiciary for its display of independence and professionalism in its decision, again, affirming the will of the good people of Edo State.

“We urge the People Democratic Party’s candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to sheath his sword, and join the Governor in his unyielding efforts to bring meaningful development to the state, for the good of all,” Morka implored.

The congratulatory message comes after the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Thursday, May 29, 2025, unanimously upheld Okpebholo’s election as the legitimate winner of the Edo State governorship poll.

The appellate court’s declaration was delivered by Justice Mohammed Danjuma in the appeal brought before the court by the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

The three-member panel, in its unanimous decision, dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal, deeming it “devoid of merit.”

Justice Danjuma explicitly stated that the appellants failed to prove any miscarriage of justice or provide credible witnesses and documentation to support their allegations, particularly those concerning over-voting.

“The foundation of the appellants’ case having collapsed, the appeal lacked merit and is hereby dismissed,” the court ruled, sealing Okpebholo’s victory at the appellate level.

However, despite the appellate court’s pronouncement, Asue Ighodalo has expressed his dissatisfaction with the judgment and has vowed to challenge the verdict at the Supreme Court, signaling that the legal battle for the Edo governorship seat is not yet over.