Politics
UPDATE: Reactions Trail Supreme Court Judgement, over Okpebholo’s confirmation
Asue Ighodalo, the honorable candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2024 Edo State gubernatorial election, has kicked against the Supreme Court’s judgment confirming Governor Monday Okpebholo as the rightful winner, describing the ruling as a painful blow to justice and democracy.
In a statement released on Thursday, moments after the apex court dismissed his appeal, Ighodalo acknowledged the finality of the decision.
Ighodalo said: “Though I accept the finality of its judgment, I do not and cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice,” he said.
Below is a copy of Ighodalo’s statement of the Supreme Court’s judgment:
“What happened in the September 2024 Governorship Election was not a contest. It was a robbery. Coordinated. Deliberate. And now, tragically validated by the highest court in the land.”
The Supreme Court, in a unanimous verdict delivered by Justice Mohammed Garba, upheld the earlier decisions of the Court of Appeal and the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which had dismissed Ighodalo’s petition and affirmed Okpebholo’s victory.
The court held that the PDP and its candidate failed to present credible evidence of alleged electoral irregularities, including over-voting and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
It faulted the PDP for relying on documentary evidence that was “dumped” on the court without proper demonstration, and for failing to call essential witnesses to validate their claims, particularly regarding data from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
Despite the legal defeat, Ighodalo praised the spirit of his supporters, especially the youth and elders who he said had placed hope in his candidacy.
“To every young person who saw in this moment the birth of a new Edo… to every woman and man who prayed, campaigned, and voted — we may not have won the office, but we won something greater.
We found one another. We discovered our collective strength,” he wrote.
Ighodalo warned that the consequences of what he described as a “flawed” judgment would be felt in the governance of the state.
“I fear Edo will feel it in the absence of leadership, in the poverty of policy, and in the daily suffering of her people,” he said, urging those currently in power to “lead with humility” and “govern with conscience,” while stressing that “history sees what the courts may not.”
“Though this painful chapter closes today, our beautiful story does not end. The struggle to reclaim the soul of our beloved state continues… We will not retreat. We will not be silenced.
And we will never forget.”
Recall that Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared winner of the September 21, 2024, governorship poll with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo of the PDP who polled 247,655 votes.
Politics
Onyejeocha resigns as Minister of State for Labour
Onyejeocha expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha has formally resignedas Honourable Minister of State for Labour and Employment.
” As one chapter closes, another opens,” Onyejeocha wrote on her X handle on Friday,, reaffirming her commitment to service, progress, and nation-building.
Onyejeocha expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In the letter, she also thanked the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, including the Honourable Minister, Permanent Secretary, directors, and staff, for their dedication and partnership in advancing workers’ rights, promoting workplace safety, and expanding employment opportunities.
Onyejeocha extended her appreciation to the people of Isuikwuato/Umunneochi Federal Constituency, describing them as her inspiration and strength throughout her tenure.
Politics
No force can defeat Tinubu in 2027 –Umahi
Umahi made the declaration on Friday while opening the completed 15 kilometres section of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has predicted victory for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in next year’s presidential election asserting, ” No force can defeat Tinubu in 2027.”
Umahi made the declaration on Friday while opening the completed 15 kilometres section of the Enugu-Onitsha expressway.
He emphasised that president Tinubu has done extremely well and will be re-elected at the poll despite the coming together of the opposition elements.
He said that the president inherited a bad economy, which he is fixing, especially the micro economy and that the macro economy of the nation was breathing very well under his administration.
“When you talk about fuel economy and so on and so forth, a strategic meeting was held yesterday on how to handle the unfortunate incident of the Iran war, which has brought hardship on our people, so, the president is not asleep on this,” he said.
He urged the people of South-East to be strategic and support Tinubu’s re-election as according to him, the president has done so much for the zone more than any other administration in the county.
Politics
Labour Party to hold presidential primary April 28
The notice is contained in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), signed by the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Sen. Nenadi Usman and released to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
The Labour Party has notified the INEC that it will hold its Presidential primary on April 28, State congresses for April 25, Local Government Area and Ward congresses for April 24 and April 23, respectively.
The notice is contained in a letter to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), signed by the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Sen. Nenadi Usman and released to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
Usman said that the letter is to notify the Commission of the approved schedule of activities for the Labour Party 2026 Elective Ward, Local Government Area (LGA), and State Congresses, as well as the National Convention.
She said that the letter was in pursuant to the provisions of Section 82(1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 (as amended);
The INEC Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties, and Section 223(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The interim national chairman said that the section mandated political parties to duly inform the commission of their congresses, conventions, and meetings.
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