Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Samson Osagie, said on Friday that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, failed to provide concrete evidence to support their allegations before the Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal.
On Wednesday, the Tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, unanimously dismissed the PDP’s petition, citing their inability to prove claims of over-voting. The tribunal affirmed that Governor Monday Okpebholo had received the highest number of valid votes in the election and criticized the petitioners for failing to properly present their evidence.
Speaking at the 10th anniversary memorial of his late father, Pa Samson Imarhiagbe-Ogbewe, in Urhokuosa, Uhunmwode Local Government Area, Osagie emphasized that it is insufficient to simply make allegations or challenge the election result without proper proof. He stated that the tribunal’s ruling was a reaffirmation of Governor Okpebholo’s legitimate victory, which had already been evident since the September 21st, 2024 election.
Osagie pointed out that the PDP and Ighodalo’s failure to present key evidence or eyewitness testimony weakened their case. He criticized the petitioners for submitting documents without proper explanation or understanding, stating that it was their responsibility to guide the tribunal in understanding the evidence they presented.
He also highlighted that Governor Okpebholo is committed to delivering people-oriented projects, and his administration in Edo State is divinely guided.
During the anniversary, Osagie expressed gratitude to everyone who supported the family over the years and reiterated the family’s commitment to honoring his late father’s legacy of hard work. The event was attended by notable APC figures, including former APC governorship candidate Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, Edo Commissioner for Finance Osareitin Edosomwan, and others.