Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21, 2024, Edo State governorship election, alleged on Thursday that the All Progressives Congress (APC) attempted to bribe his witnesses at the tribunal with N30 million.
Despite this, Ighodalo expressed gratitude to his witnesses for their unwavering commitment and loyalty, pledging to pursue the case to the Supreme Court to “claim his mandate.”
Speaking at a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Benin, Ighodalo stated that he, his running mate Osarodion Ogie, and other party members would continue their legal battle, despite the tribunal’s decision, which he deemed unjust.
“We will fight this battle to the end. Many of our supporters left their homes to be here. All our witnesses have been steadfast, despite being offered N30m to sway them. They stood firm with the party, and I thank everyone,” he said.
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In the September 21, 2024, election, APC’s Monday Okpebholo was declared the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who received 247,655 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, the PDP and Ighodalo filed a petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission, Okpebholo, and the APC at the tribunal.
On April 2, 2025, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed the petition and upheld Okpebholo’s victory.
Undeterred, Ighodalo and the PDP filed an appeal.
At the Thursday stakeholders’ meeting, Ighodalo stated, “The tribunal’s verdict was not fair. We’ve appealed, and we’ll take the case to the Supreme Court. We are confident that God will intervene because He is just. We must remain strong and focused, despite everything happening around us.”
Ighodalo promised that if they successfully reclaim the mandate, they would build upon the foundations established by former Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
“When we get our mandate, we will pick up where leaders like Lucky Igbinedion left off. After our eight years in office, everyone will be comfortable, except those unwilling to work. God has been teaching us humility and strength of character. If we had been sworn in after the election, we would have made a big mistake by appointing the wrong people. The loyalty of party members will be rewarded when we take office,” he said.
A party leader and former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikhimi, accused the APC of attempting to dismantle the PDP to establish a one-party state. He expressed confidence that Ighodalo and Ogie had won the election and that the “stolen mandate” would be recovered.
“The PDP kickstarted this Fourth Republic, and I’m glad to see the first governor and deputy governor of the state here with us. Their presence provides leadership to the party, and it is commendable. The PDP is a family, and despite the current challenges, we will prevail. The APC has been hijacked and is now serving personal interests. The best way forward is to ensure the survival of the PDP,” he said.
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Edo State PDP Caretaker Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, acknowledged the party’s current challenges but expressed optimism that these difficulties would ultimately strengthen the PDP. He reassured that the majority of the state still supported the party.
“We may be facing challenges, but we are the majority in the state. The quality of people in this party will shine through when we face adversity. If the APC is using coercion to bring in PDP members, it only shows the weakness of the APC at the national level,” Aziegbemi said.
Former governor of the state, Lucky Igbinedion, emphasized that there were essentially only two political parties in Nigeria: the PDP and everyone else. He urged Edo State PDP members to focus on promoting the party and building support.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, admitted that the party was experiencing difficult times but reiterated that these challenges were not unprecedented.
“Every serious political organisation with a mandate to serve must occasionally pause, reflect, and recommit to its core values. That’s exactly where we are today,” he stated.
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