Edo’s Legal Drama Ends: Supreme Court Backs Okpebholo, Shuts Door on Ighodalo’s Hopes

The tension was palpable at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja on Thursday morning, where an air of finality hovered as journalists, lawyers, party loyalists, and curious citizens gathered to witness the climax of a political and legal battle that has gripped Edo State for nearly ten months.

At the centre of the storm: the contested outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) the winner. But for Asue Ighodalo, the technocrat-turned-politician fielded by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the result marked the beginning of a legal fight that would stretch all the way to the nation’s apex court.

On July 10, 2025, the Supreme Court delivered its long-awaited judgment—and it was decisive.

The five-member panel, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, unanimously dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal for lack of merit. With that ruling, months of courtroom arguments, allegations of electoral malpractice, and procedural technicalities came to a close. Monday Okpebholo’s governorship now stands on the firm ground of judicial affirmation.

What You Should Know

This case wasn’t just another post-election tussle—it was a test of legal strategy, electoral integrity, and political will. For Ighodalo, a political newcomer with deep roots in finance and corporate law, the journey was as much about principle as it was about power. His legal team alleged irregularities, voter suppression, and flawed results collation in several local government areas.

However, those arguments had failed to convince both the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal before landing at the Supreme Court.

What this ruling confirms is a precedent that increasingly favours evidentiary strength over speculation or political sentiment. The justices maintained that without concrete, verifiable evidence—such as polling unit records or eye-witness testimonies—allegations cannot override a declared electoral outcome.

The case also reflects a broader shift in Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence: courts are less inclined to overturn results unless the petitioner meets a very high burden of proof. It’s no longer enough to allege—it must be proven.

Beyond the Courtroom

For Edo State, the Supreme Court’s verdict sets the stage for political realignment. Okpebholo, once a relatively low-profile senator, now has the full weight of legitimacy behind his administration. His victory is a boost not only for the APC in the South-South region but also for its national strategy heading into the 2027 elections.

On the other hand, the PDP faces a moment of reckoning. The party, which once held Edo as a stronghold, must now recalibrate its message, rebuild grassroots trust, and prepare for the long road back to relevance in the state.

A Legal Battle That Defined Political Legitimacy

For political observers, the Edo case offered a glimpse into how far Nigeria’s democracy has come—and how far it still must go. It highlighted the growing reliance on the judiciary to resolve election disputes, even as it exposed the limits of litigation as a political tool.

In the end, the Supreme Court did not just settle a legal argument—it drew a clear line under a political season of uncertainty. The judgment has handed Monday Okpebholo a mandate that is no longer just electoral but judicial, clearing the path for him to govern without the spectre of litigation looming overhead.

And for voters in Edo State, the message is clear: the ballots have spoken, the courts have confirmed—and it’s time to move forward.