The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has congratulated the Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, on his victory at the election tribunal, which affirmed his election in the September 2024 governorship poll.
In a statement on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike described the tribunal ruling as a further confirmation of the mandate freely given to Okpebholo by the people of Edo State.
He urged the governor to remain focused on governance and not to be distracted by those seeking power “through the back door.”
“The victory is for the people of Edo State who elected Governor Okpebholo,” Wike stated, adding that the governor should continue his commitment to serving the people.
Expressing confidence in Okpebholo’s leadership, Wike commended the governor’s early strides in office, stating, “I believe in him, and with the way he has started, I am confident that his government will have a positive impact on Edo State and its people.”
PUNCH Online reports that the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja on Wednesday, declared Okpebholo as the valid, authentic winner of the September 2, 2024, election in the state.
The Justice Wilfred Kpochi three-member panel, in a unanimous judgment, dismissed the petition of the Peoples Democratic Party and its governorship candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, for their inability to prove their allegation of over voting, affirming that Okpebholo scored the highest number of valid votes in the election.
