Former Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki, has expressed his dissatisfaction with the Supreme Court’s verdict that upheld Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo State, although he acknowledged that the decision must be accepted under the law.
In a message posted on his official X account shortly after the court ruling on Thursday, Obaseki thanked the people of Edo State and Nigerians for what he described as their strong support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidates during the September 21, 2024, governorship election. He insisted that the PDP candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, were the true winners of the election.
“I am profoundly grateful to the good people of Edo State and Nigerians for their overwhelming support for the victory, which we believe our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo and his running mate, Osarodion Ogie, won,” Obaseki stated.
He noted that the PDP explored every available legal option to challenge the election result, from the Election Petition Tribunal to the Court of Appeal, and eventually the Supreme Court. According to him, the legal process was necessary because the party believed the results were not credible.
“But unfortunately, and most surprisingly, all the courts have ruled against us,” he said.
While stating that the Supreme Court’s ruling is final, Obaseki said he and his party remain unsatisfied with the outcome. Still, he acknowledged that, as law-abiding citizens, they must accept the decision.
“Although we strongly disagree with the decision of the Supreme Court, but as adherents to the rule of law, we are bound by their verdict,” he said.
Obaseki also issued a warning about the broader consequences of the ruling. He noted that the way the election was conducted and how the courts ruled on it could pose a serious risk to the future of Nigeria’s democracy.
