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.
Kenneth Okonkwo, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar presidential campaign, has warned that Peter Obi may not be able to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election if he contests without a broader opposition alliance.
Okonkwo made the statement during an interview with Ibeju Upgrade Media, amid renewed efforts by opposition figures to form a coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, a united opposition front remains the only realistic strategy for defeating Tinubu at the polls.
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He argued that Obi would face difficulties securing enough support in Northern Nigeria if he chooses to contest against Tinubu alone.
“Coalition is the only way out,” Okonkwo said, while referring to Tinubu’s political approach and his previous comments about the nature of political power.
He further dismissed the possibility of Obi defeating Tinubu on his own, even if former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso joins him as running mate.
“So, if Peter Obi goes against Tinubu alone, Tinubu will eat him like biscuits,” Okonkwo said.
He questioned whether Obi would receive sufficient support in Kano, noting that the former Anambra State governor did not secure the state in the 2023 presidential election.
“Will Kano people accept Peter Obi? In 2023, when we had the opportunity, they did not accept him. In 2027, they will not accept him,” he added.
Okonkwo also played down Kwankwaso’s political influence, claiming that the former Kano governor had lost some of his strength, including in his home state.
“Kwankwaso has nothing to contribute to the ticket. Even in Kano, Kwankwaso has lost,” he said.
His comments come as opposition politicians continue discussions over the possibility of forming a coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has cautioned its members against anti-party activities in the forthcoming National and State Assembly elections.
A government house statement released in Osogbo on Wednesday added that the party warned that all members must support Accord candidates at the polls.
Rising from a closed door stakeholders’ meeting, the party noted several reports of Accord members allegedly backing candidates from PDP, APM, APP and even APC, directing that those members or leaders caught in such acts will face severe disciplinary actions.
The meeting presided over by Governor Ademola Adeleke passed a resolution that all disagreements over selection of legislative candidates should be resolved and the party must unite behind the candidates already fielded by the party.
Under no circumstances should any Accord member be caught sponsoring or working for legislative candidates of other political parties. Such behaviour will not be tolerated, the stakeholders meeting resolved.
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The meeting further directed a small committee to work on constituencies where such abnormalities are noted and take appropriate measures to stop the menace and even sanction the culprits if they persist in such anti-party conduct.
The Accord leadership in the state was also directed to activate monitoring actions to identify those involved in such conduct and call them to order as urgently as possible.
Meanwhile, Gov Adeleke used the Forum to register his gratitude to party members for their steadfast support during the turbulent electioneering process.
“I am deeply grateful to our party members for their depth of loyalty and courageous disposition throughout the democratic struggle. Osun people trusted us and they fought for us under the divine direction of God Almighty.
“We praise God Almighty, the courageous people of Osun state, the electoral commission and you, our loyal party members and leaders. I will remain steadfast in my commitment to the people, the party and God almighty.
“I task us to support our party candidates in the forthcoming legislative elections. We must avoid anti-party activities. Severe sanction awaits any party member who works against the candidates of the party.
“I have also tasked our candidates to reach out to all segments of the party. We must run an inclusive campaign. All shades of opinion must be mobilised for resounding success in future elections”, the governor admonished leaders at the stakeholders’ forum.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has raised the alarm over a fake online recruitment notice claiming that the commission has commenced the recruitment and training of ad-hoc staff ahead of the 2027 General Election.
INEC issued the warning on Monday, August 31, 2026, following the circulation of a message online directing prospective applicants to a website purportedly created for the recruitment exercise.
The electoral commission dismissed the information as false, stressing that the recruitment notice and website did not originate from it.
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In a statement, INEC said, “The attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been drawn to a message circulating online claiming that the Commission is currently recruiting and training ad-hoc staff for the 2027 General Election.”
The commission further clarified that the website being circulated is not its official recruitment portal.
“This information is not from INEC. The website/link being circulated is NOT an official INEC recruitment portal,” INEC stated.
The electoral body warned Nigerians against clicking on the link or providing personal information through the platform, particularly as fraudulent recruitment websites can be used to obtain sensitive details or solicit payments.
“Members of the public are strongly advised NOT to click on the link, submit personal information, upload documents or make any payment through the platform,” the commission warned.
INEC advised members of the public to rely only on its verified communication channels and official websites for information concerning recruitment and election-related activities.
“INEC’s official recruitment and election-related announcements are published through the Commission’s verified communication channels and official websites,” it said.
The commission directed Nigerians seeking authentic information to visit its official website, inecnigeria.org.
INEC also noted that it had previously warned the public about fraudulent websites and fake recruitment advertisements purporting to originate from the commission.
The electoral body urged Nigerians to disregard the latest notice and avoid further circulating it.
“Please disregard and do not circulate this false recruitment notice,” INEC said.
The commission concluded its warning with an appeal to Nigerians to verify the authenticity of online information before clicking on links or submitting personal details.
“Stay informed. Stay safe. Always verify before you click,” INEC stated.
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