Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has commended the Supreme Court ruling that confirmed Governor Monday Okpebholo as the legitimate winner of the September 2024 Edo governorship election.
The minister expressed his satisfaction in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the apex court, sitting in a five-member panel, unanimously upheld Okpebholo’s victory, ruling that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, were unable to substantiate their claims with credible evidence.
Reacting to the judgment, Wike, the immediate past Governor of Rivers State stated that the ruling represented the ultimate validation of the will of the Edo electorate.
“This victory is for the people of Edo, who elected Okpebholo. It is a call for greater commitment to the service of the people.
“I congratulate the governor and urge him to keep doing his best for the upliftment of his people,” Wike said.
He encouraged Governor Okpebholo to stay focused and view the affirmation as a renewed mandate for dedicated public service.
Wike also appealed to Asue Ighodalo and the PDP to rally around the governor in a bid to accelerate the state’s development.
“Now that a final answer has been provided as to the question of who actually won the governorship election, it behoves all opponents of the governor to, in the interest of the Edo people, join hands with him,” the minister added.