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
INEC clears ADC party for 2027 election
With this formal endorsement, the ADC leadership is expected to commence a nationwide reconciliation and mobilisation effort, as the party seeks to strengthen its presence across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday recognised Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
News Tellers report that alongside Mark and Aregbesola, other principal officers now officially acknowledged by INEC include Dr. Ibrahim Mani as National Treasurer, Akibu Dalhatu as National Financial Secretary, and Professor Oserheimen Aigberaodion Osunbor as National Legal Adviser.
The Commission had since posted the names coalition executives on its website.
With this formal endorsement, the ADC leadership is expected to commence a nationwide reconciliation and mobilisation effort, as the party seeks to strengthen its presence across the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
David Mark had emerged as interim National Chairman last July at an elaborate ceremony held at Yar’Adua Conference Centre in Abuja, following the resignation of the immediate past National Chairman of the party, Ralph Nwosu.
Violence erupted on Saturday in Lagos during the planned declaration of Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party’s former governorship candidate, into the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Suspected thugs, allegedly backed by security operatives, disrupted the event, attacking supporters and injuring Rhodes-Vivour’s personal photographer and aid.
Eyewitnesses report that police, accompanied by armed groups, blocked access to the planned venue for Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s ADC declaration, despite prior payment.
Rhodes-Vivour was reportedly informed that the order came “from above,” directing him to seek resolution with the Police Commissioner.
The area was heavily militarized overnight, with soldiers and DSS operatives joining the police to restrict movement.
The actions against Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour’s planned ADC declaration have ignited outrage among his supporters, who perceive the incident as a deliberate attempt to thwart his move.
Sources indicate that Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, was expected to attend the event.
The disruption follows reports of violence against ADC supporters in various locations across the country.
Watch the moment Rhodes Vivour’s aid was beaten as police, thugs frustrate ADC declaration:
Politics
INEC Registers 171 New parties seeking to govern Nigeria
The commission urged applicants to be patient and avoid practices that could delay their approval.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has registered 171 new political parties.
In a statement on Thursday, INEC National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee, Sam Olumekun, said that since the last update, 19 more letters of intent have been received, bringing the total to 171 as of September 3, 2025.
“Details of the latest submissions are available on our website,” the updated list has been published on the commission’s website and other official platforms,“ Olumekun said.
He added that a review committee set up by the commission had completed its assessment of the applications and submitted recommendations for final consideration.
“As earlier announced, a shortlist of pre-qualified associations is being finalised for the next stage of the registration process,” he said.
The commission urged applicants to be patient and avoid practices that could delay their approval.
“We appeal to associations to remain patient as we conclude the process.
Frequent changes to logos, acronyms, and addresses, or multiple applications by one association, only cause delays.
In some cases, interim leaders have defected to other associations or existing parties, further slowing the process,” Olumekun warned.
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