The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the September 2024 Edo State election, Barrister Asue Ighodalo, has reacted fiercely to the recent verdict of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. In an emotionally charged press briefing on Friday in Benin City, Ighodalo accused unnamed political actors of attempting to compromise the integrity of his case through witness bribery and vowed to take the legal battle to the Supreme Court.
According to Ighodalo, several witnesses in his petition were allegedly offered ₦30 million each to alter their testimonies or withdraw completely. The PDP candidate described the tribunal’s ruling as a “mockery of justice” and insisted that he remained the rightful winner of the September 21 gubernatorial contest.
Tribunal Verdict Sparks Outrage
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered its ruling earlier this week, dismissing Ighodalo’s petition for lack of merit. The panel, in a unanimous judgment, ruled that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and that the APC candidate, Monday Okpebholo, was duly elected as governor.
The judgment sparked mixed reactions across the state, with PDP supporters staging peaceful protests in several local government areas while calling for “justice and transparency” in the nation’s electoral system.
Reacting to the outcome, Ighodalo said, “What happened at the tribunal was not justice. It was a painful reminder that the electoral and judicial systems are under threat. We presented compelling evidence, documented irregularities, and credible testimonies, yet our petition was treated with levity.”
₦30 Million Bribery Allegation
In what has become the most explosive part of his reaction, Ighodalo revealed that some of his key witnesses were approached with bribes of ₦30 million each in an attempt to induce them to withdraw or change their testimonies.
“Let me state it clearly: our legal team discovered that our witnesses were being hunted down, harassed, and offered ₦30 million each to disappear or lie on the stand. This is not just electoral malpractice — it is criminality in its boldest form,” he said.
Although he refrained from naming specific individuals behind the alleged bribery attempt, Ighodalo stated that his legal team was compiling evidence that would be submitted before the Supreme Court.
“I am not saying this for sensationalism. We have affidavits, statements, and security briefings to back our claims. These documents will form part of our appeal. Nigerians must know the truth,” he asserted.
Legal Team to File Appeal
Ighodalo confirmed that his team of lawyers, led by renowned constitutional lawyer Chief Ozekhome (SAN), is already preparing an appeal to the Supreme Court, confident that justice will eventually be served.
“Our appeal will not just restate the facts but expose the coordinated manipulation of our democratic institutions. We are determined to see this through, not just for our sake but for the future of free and fair elections in Nigeria,” he said.
He emphasized that while the road ahead may be long, his campaign is committed to restoring faith in the democratic process and ensuring that the will of the people is respected.
PDP Backs Ighodalo’s Move
The leadership of the PDP in Edo State and at the national level has thrown its weight behind Ighodalo’s decision to appeal the tribunal verdict. In a statement signed by the party’s national publicity secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the PDP described the tribunal’s judgment as “flawed” and “legally unsustainable.”
“The PDP stands firmly with our candidate, Barrister Asue Ighodalo. The judgment of the tribunal does not reflect the overwhelming evidence presented. We are confident that the Supreme Court will correct this miscarriage of justice,” the statement read.
The party also reiterated its commitment to defending democracy and urged supporters to remain calm and law-abiding while legal processes are exhausted.
Public Reactions: Mixed Sentiments
The tribunal’s verdict and Ighodalo’s reaction have generated widespread discussion across social and traditional media platforms. While APC supporters have hailed the judgment as a vindication of the party’s mandate, many PDP faithful and neutral observers have expressed concerns about the growing perception of political interference in Nigeria’s judiciary.
One voter in Oredo Local Government Area, Grace Okunbor, said, “Ighodalo’s courage is commendable. If what he’s saying is true about the ₦30 million bribe, then this country is in deeper trouble than we thought.”
Others, however, urged him to accept the outcome and move on. “Sometimes it’s better to step back and rebuild. Prolonged legal battles only distract from real governance and development,” said Emeka Nwosu, a political commentator based in Asaba.
APC Reacts: Focus on Governance
In a swift response to Ighodalo’s claims, the APC in Edo State dismissed the bribery allegations as “baseless and desperate.”
Spokesperson for the party, Victor Osehobo, said, “Asue Ighodalo and his team are merely trying to whip up sentiments. The tribunal ruled based on evidence, and not wild allegations. He should accept the verdict and let the state move forward.”
Osehobo added that Governor Okpebholo is focused on delivering his mandate and would not be distracted by “post-election propaganda.”
Conclusion
As Ighodalo prepares to take his legal battle to the apex court, the political landscape in Edo State remains tense. His allegations of bribery and intimidation have added a new dimension to what has already been a contentious post-election process. For many Nigerians, the eventual resolution of the matter at the Supreme Court will serve as a critical test for the independence of the judiciary and the future of electoral integrity in the country.
Whether justice, as perceived by Ighodalo and his supporters, will prevail remains to be seen — but one thing is certain: the battle for Edo’s governorship is far from over.
