The Supreme Court’s ruling on the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, portends danger for Nigeria’s democracy.
This is the submission of the immediate past governor of the state, Godwin Obaseki, and it comes on the heels of a unanimous judgement delivered by a five-member panel of the apex court.
The panel headed by Justice Mohammed Garba, had dismissed the appeal filed by Asue Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, for lacking merit, while affirming the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo.
In his reaction through a written statement however, Obaseki disagreed with the Supreme Court’s verdict, bemoaning what he described as alleged manipulation of the election, and its subsequent validation by the Supreme Court.
“It is based on this conviction, and our belief that the results were manipulated, that we took steps to seek legal redress, beginning with the Election Petition Tribunal, then the Court of Appeal, and finally, the Supreme Court.
“But unfortunately, and most surprisingly, all the courts have ruled against us”, the ex-governor said.
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According to Obaseki, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) legitimately won the election, but all legal avenues taken to challenge the result ended in disappointment.
The PDP he said is bound by the court’s decision even as it expected otherwise, but the verdict has left broader implications, the politician stated.
“I encourage our people to keep hope alive as we persist in the struggle to redeem our fatherland.”
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