Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has applauded the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment that affirmed the election of Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected Governor of Edo State.
He described the verdict as a decisive and final validation of the will of the people, as expressed during the September 2023 gubernatorial election.
Wike, in a statement released by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, congratulated Governor Okpebholo on the judicial victory and urged him to view it as a renewed call to dedicated and selfless service.
He further stressed that the ruling should inspire the governor to remain focused on delivering good governance to the people of Edo State.
“The judgment is not just a legal triumph but a confirmation of the popular mandate freely given to Governor Okpebholo by the people of Edo,” Wike stated.
“It is a call for even greater commitment to the development and prosperity of the state. I urge the governor to continue doing his utmost for the progress of Edo and the well-being of its citizens.”
IREPORT247NEWS reports that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had, on Thursday, July 10, 2025, delivered its much-anticipated final judgment in the legal dispute that trailed the governorship election.
In a unanimous decision, a five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba, dismissed the appeal filed by Dr. Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for lacking merit.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Garba ruled that the appellants failed to substantiate their claims of electoral fraud or irregularities with compelling and credible evidence.
He noted that both the Election Petition Tribunal and the Court of Appeal had earlier upheld Okpebholo’s election, and that the appellants could not prove any miscarriage of justice in those rulings.
“The appeal is hereby dismissed for lacking in merit,” Justice Garba declared. “Accordingly, the decisions of the tribunal and the Court of Appeal are affirmed.”
Reacting to the ruling, Wike extended a conciliatory hand to the opposition, particularly the PDP and its candidate, Dr. Ighodalo. He urged them to accept the court’s decision in good faith and support the elected governor in moving Edo State forward.
“Now that the highest court in the land has spoken with finality on the matter, it is time for all stakeholders, regardless of political affiliation, to put aside differences and work together in the collective interest of Edo State,” Wike appealed.
He stressed the importance of political unity and collaboration, noting that meaningful development could only be achieved when leaders across party lines come together for the common good.