Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, stated on Friday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, will lose their appeal at the Appellate Court level.
Okpebholo made the remarks while addressing at Okaijesan Town Hall in Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area, where Edo Central leaders were hosting a celebration of his electoral tribunal triumph.
The governor thanked the Edo people for their support and prayers, assuring them that his administration will maintain the current pace of development progress.
He observed that Ighodalo and the PDP have stated their determination to contest the election petition tribunal order that handed him and his party victory on Wednesday.
Okpebholo stated that Asue Ighodalo and PDP are both free to appeal the ruling, as he assured them that they would fail at the Appeal Court.
He stated, “The opposition party has been talking and shouting, but Edo people spoke obviously and loudly with their votes on September 21, 2024. Edo people voted for the right person in Senator Monday Okpebholo. The people will speak again when the time is right.
“We have defeated them at the tribunal, and they said they want to appeal the ruling. If they like, let them appeal and even get to the Supreme Court. We will defeat them.
“They have stolen enough money from Edo State. So, they are wasting the money on court cases. If they like, let them spend all the money they stole from the people. They will never steal Edo people’s mandates given to me and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the September 21st governorship election.”
Okpebholo disclosed plans by his administration to develop Esan land through road infrastructure, noting that his administration has awarded a contract to dualise the old road from Ekpoma to Ubiaja.
He added, “As we won this election, the first thing we did was to make sure our roads were motorable across Edo State. If you come to Enewa now, itlooks like Abuja, as we are putting our efforts to ensure we have good roads to boost economic activities.
“I know the problem of Edo State and Esan land. I have already awarded the old road from Ekpoma to Ubiaja to be dualised. There will be much space to enable vehicles to pass freely without fear of an accident. When completed, this road will boost economic activities in the area.
“I am an Edo man, an Esan man, and I know the problem of Esan people. Today, I came to tell you people that the tribunal has given us victory again after the September 21st governorship election.
“The people have spoken, and by the grace of God, very soon, what we promised our people, they will start enjoying it. The promise, like the soft loan, is that our people will soon start getting the money. They will soon start to enjoy it. It will start happening in less than two weeks. The money is ready. Names are being compiled for the interested people who want the loan.”
He mentioned that Governor Monday Okpebholo, who won the governorship election, has been affirmed as the true elected governor by the election petition tribunal in Abuja.
He added, “God gave us a double victory on Wednesday with the tribunal judgement. We are grateful to God Almighty and the people of Edo State for their continuous prayers and support.”
Bawa Umar, leader of the Arewa community in Esan land, praised Okpebholo’s efforts to restore peace, stability, and prosperity in Edo State following the Uromi massacres.
Umar stated that his travel to Kano State to condole with the governor exemplifies his character as a gentleman and a man of peace.
