Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, has congratulated Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, on his victory at the Court of Appeal, which upheld his election in the September 2024 governorship poll.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Wike said the judgment was a clear confirmation of the mandate given to Okpebholo by the people of Edo.
The Court of Appeal had earlier this week dismissed the petition filed by the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Asue Ighodalo, challenging Okpebholo’s victory in the September 2024 election. The court affirmed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, now Governor Okpebholo, was duly elected.
Describing the ruling as a reflection of the people’s will, Wike said, “The judgment is a further confirmation of the mandate freely and genuinely given to Okpebholo by the people of Edo.”
He called on Governor Okpebholo to remain focused on governance and to continue delivering the dividends of democracy to the people. “I have watched him since he assumed office, and I can say that he has been doing well for Edo and its people,” the minister added.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a key figure in national politics, expressed strong confidence in Okpebholo’s leadership. “For me, I believe in him, and I am confident that his government will have a sustainable impact on Edo,” he said.
In a show of statesmanship, Wike also appealed to the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to accept the court’s decision and move on for the sake of peace and development in Edo State.
“Accept the judgment and allow the sleeping dogs of the election to lie,” he advised.
Governor Okpebholo’s administration, though still young, has received praise from various quarters for its focus on infrastructure, education, and security. Political observers now look forward to how this court victory will further strengthen his hold on the state’s governance and allow him to execute his plans without distractions.
