Politics
Supreme Court Verdict, APC, PDP Express Optimism On Edo Guber
The Edo State chapters of the People Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) are optimistic that the eventual Supreme Court judgment will favour them.
Recall that in the governorship poll, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared that Governor Monday Okpebholo polled 291,667 to defeat Asue Ighodalo, who polled 247,655 votes, the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
Consequently, the PDP and its candidate, Ighodalo, approached the court in the bid to reclaim the mandate from the APC and its candidate, Okpebholo.
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The petitioners in a petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, alleged that Okpebholo did not score the highest number of votes in the election, adding that the election was marred with multiple irregularities and corrupt practices.
The petitioners alleged a high record of over-voting in the election and prayed the tribunal to nullify the election over non-serialization of ballots, incorrect collation of figures, and erroneous computation of scores in 765 polling units.
On April 2, 2025, a three-member panel of the Edo State governorship election petition tribunal chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, in a unanimous decision, dismissed the petition of the PDP and Ighodalo for their inability to prove the allegation of over-voting.
Similarly, the Appeal Court Abuja Division, on May 29, 2025, affirmed the decision of the Edo State governorship election petition tribunal on the election victory of Governor Okpebholo.
The three-member panel of the appellate court, in a unanimous decision, dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal, describing it as devoid of merit.
However, the PDP and its candidate, having lost the two trials, are currently at the Supreme Court hoping that the judgment will go their way.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court reserved judgment for delivery at a later date.
Despite that, the chairman of the Caretaker Committee of the PDP in Edo State, Tony Aziegbemi, has expressed optimism that the matter will go their way at the apex court.
He said, “The Supreme Court judges gave each lawyer 10 minutes to talk and they said we will hear from them concerning the judgment. So, nothing much transpired at the court.
“What happened at the court is what we expected. They were supposed to adopt those written addresses. We didn’t expect anything else to happen.
“However, we expected that our candidate, Asue Ighodalo, will be declared winner by the Supreme Court.”
On his part, the Publicity Secretary of the Edo APC, Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie, said the consistent nature of the Supreme Court would give his party and its candidate victory.
He added, “We do not doubt the judiciary. The highest respect you should have for a constituted organ of government is what we have for the judiciary. We know they have been consistent in the review of evidence before them.
“The court does not manufacture evidence. The court is not a Father Christmas and no court can give judgment in favour of someone who has not proven its case before it.
“The Supreme Court is going to look at the evidence before the tribunal, reviewed by the Court of Appeal and consequently give their verdict. The verdict is going to be in consonant with the law.”
On the law, the APC said “The law is that he who alleges must prove. In this case, the PDP and Ighodalo alleged issues that they could not buttress with any evidence. They said there was an infraction of the law which they were not able to prove.
“Even the little proofs they manage to present were expunged by the Court of Appeal. They have also disregarded our party and candidate by their inability to prove that we committed an infraction.”
Recall that the appeal was heard by a five-member panel of justices of the apex court, presided over by Justice Garba Lawal.
Ighodalo’s appeal was argued by Ken Mozia (SAN).
He prayed the Supreme Court to set aside the judgment of the lower courts that upheld INEC’s declaration.
At the hearing of the appeal before the apex court, INEC was represented by Kanu Agabi (SAN).
In his arguments, he urged the apex court to dismiss the appeal in its entirety, stating that Ighodalo and the PDP had, in their petition, stigmatised the election as invalid and unlawful on the grounds of non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
He added that having declared the election unlawful and illegal, Ighodalo and the PDP could not turn around and pray the court to declare them as winners of illegality.
The INEC accused Ighodalo and the PDP of being inconsistent in their grievances against the election and pleaded that their case be dismissed for want of merit.
Governor Okpebholo’s counsel, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and APC’s counsel, Emmanuel Okala (SAN), similarly urged the apex court to dismiss Igodhalo’s appeal.
After taking arguments from the parties in the suit, Justice Lawal stated that the date for delivery of the judgment would be communicated to the parties.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dan Ulasi, has warned that the party stands little chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections if Nyesom Wike continues to play a leading role while allegedly supporting the ruling government.
Ulasi, who spoke during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday, expressed deep concern over what he described as a “contradictory situation” within the PDP, stressing that such internal inconsistencies could weaken the party’s credibility and chances at the polls.
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“I don’t see my party as presently constituted challenging Tinubu with Wike as national leader,” Ulasi said, warning that he may be forced to leave the party if the issue is not addressed.
The PDP stalwart argued that Wike cannot effectively serve as a leader in the opposition while maintaining close ties with President Tinubu, describing the situation as “unconstructive” for a party seeking to reclaim power at the national level.
He further questioned what role Wike would play if another candidate emerges as the PDP’s presidential flag-bearer ahead of the 2027 election, asking whether the former Rivers State governor would actively participate in party rallies or align with the ruling party’s activities.
Ulasi warned that the party’s next meeting could be his last if its leadership fails to provide satisfactory explanations, insisting that he cannot continue to be part of a process riddled with contradictions.
In a related development, Ulasi revealed that Peter Obi had visited him several times this year, including a recent meeting following an appearance in Enugu.
He spoke positively about Obi’s vision for Nigeria, noting that the former presidential candidate offers a sense of hope for the country’s future, although he stopped short of declaring any political alignment.
Reflecting on his longstanding ties to the PDP, Ulasi recalled his role during the party’s formation alongside late former Vice-President Alex Ekueme and other founding members.
Despite his deep connection to the party, he maintained that he would rather step aside than remain in a system he considers inconsistent.
He added that if he eventually exits the PDP, he has no plans to join another political party, stating that he would instead operate as a private consultant.
There was tension within the Ogun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Monday after former Governor and Senator representing Ogun East, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, alleged that he was barred from attending a stakeholders’ meeting of the party held in Ijebu Ode.
The meeting, which took place at Adeola Odutola Hall, was reportedly convened to bring together key party stakeholders, including current and former local government chairmen, councillors, and serving as well as former lawmakers from both state and national levels.
However, the senator, in a viral video circulating online, claimed he was denied entry into the venue despite being part of the expected attendees.
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Speaking from his branded campaign bus parked at the venue, Daniel expressed disappointment over the situation, saying he and his team were stopped from accessing the meeting.
He further questioned the legitimacy of any resolutions reached at the gathering, suggesting that the outcome of the meeting should not be considered valid.
As of press time, the Ogun State APC leadership had yet to issue an official response to the allegation.
The lingering leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) is set for a crucial legal test as the Supreme Court of Nigeria prepares to hear an appeal filed by former Senate President, David Mark.
Mark is challenging a legal action brought by a former Deputy National Chairman of the party, Nafiu Bala, over the control and leadership structure of the ADC.
The case, scheduled for hearing on Tuesday, is expected to determine the direction of the party amid deepening internal divisions.
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Through his lawyer, Realwan Okpanachi, Mark is seeking an order to stay the execution of a Court of Appeal judgment delivered on March 12, pending the final resolution of the matter.
He also urged the apex court to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from making any alterations to the party’s leadership as currently constituted under his faction.
In addition, Mark is asking the court to suspend further proceedings in a related suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite.
The dispute dates back to a September 4, 2025 ruling by the Federal High Court following an ex parte application filed by Bala, which has since fueled competing claims to the party’s leadership.
The ADC has, in recent months, been embroiled in a bitter factional crisis, with rival camps asserting legitimacy.
The situation has been worsened by conflicting court orders and administrative uncertainty surrounding who truly leads the party.
Tensions escalated after INEC reportedly removed Mark as the party’s national chairman from its official records, sparking protests by his loyalists.
The demonstration drew prominent political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
In response, the Bala-led faction staged a counter-protest, insisting on recognition by INEC as the legitimate leadership of the party.
As the battle shifts to the Supreme Court, political observers say the outcome could decisively shape the future of the ADC, particularly as political alignments begin to take form ahead of upcoming elections.
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