John Umeh
In a decisive legal victory that ends weeks of political uncertainty within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has dismissed the appeal filed by Hon. Dennis Idahosa Ighodalo and affirmed Senator Monday Okpebholo as the authentic governorship candidate of the party for the upcoming Edo 2024 gubernatorial election.
The apex court delivered its ruling on Wednesday, declaring the appeal by Ighodalo as lacking in merit and upholding the judgment of the Court of Appeal, which had earlier declared Okpebholo the valid winner of the party’s primary election.
Legal Battle Comes to a Close
The legal tussle between the two APC heavyweights stemmed from a contested primary election held in February 2024. While Okpebholo was announced as the winner by the official primary election committee of the party, Ighodalo rejected the result and approached the Federal High Court seeking to nullify Okpebholo’s candidacy.
Although the lower court initially ruled in Ighodalo’s favor, the Court of Appeal overturned that decision, siding with Okpebholo and declaring that the primary followed due process. The final decision by the Supreme Court now puts an end to all legal distractions within the APC camp.
Delivering the lead judgment, the panel of justices of the Supreme Court maintained that Ighodalo failed to prove irregularities in the conduct of the primaries and affirmed that Okpebholo was duly nominated in accordance with party guidelines and the Electoral Act.
APC Reacts
The leadership of the All Progressives Congress has welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for internal democracy and a clear signal that the party is prepared to move forward in unity. In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, the party urged all aggrieved members to close ranks and support Okpebholo in the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
“This judgment has vindicated our internal democratic process. Now that the matter is settled, we urge all loyal party members to unite behind Senator Okpebholo and work towards victory in Edo State,” the statement read.
Okpebholo Speaks
Reacting to the judgment, Senator Monday Okpebholo expressed gratitude to God, the judiciary, and party faithful for standing by the truth. He reiterated his commitment to leading a robust campaign focused on development, security, youth empowerment, and transparent governance.
“This is not just a personal victory—it is a win for all Edo people who are yearning for a breath of fresh air. I call on my brother, Hon. Ighodalo, and others to join me as we work together to rescue Edo State from stagnation,” he said.
Ighodalo Yet to React
As of the time of this report, Hon. Ighodalo has not issued any official response to the judgment. However, political observers are watching closely to see whether he will remain in the APC fold or explore alternative political paths.
Looking Ahead
With the legal distractions now cleared, attention will shift fully to the political battlefield as Okpebholo prepares to face candidates from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party, and others in what is expected to be a hotly contested governorship election in Edo State.
Political analysts believe that the resolution of the APC candidacy dispute could give the party an edge in organizing a unified and coherent campaign—something that had been in doubt as long as the legal wrangling persisted.
For now, Senator Monday Okpebholo stands as the APC’s undisputed flag bearer, with the Supreme Court’s ruling giving him a solid foundation to begin his journey toward Osadebe Avenue.
