The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Monday, March 3, 2025 reserved its final judgement in the petition filed by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.

Asue Ighodalo and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) are challenging the victory of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its then candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, who was declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi reserved judgement on Monday after counsel in the matter adopted their final written addresses. According to Justice Kpochi, a date for judgement would be communicated to parties by the secretary of the tribunal.

But despite the needless distraction of the petition by the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Executive Governor of Edo State, has remained unshaken and unwavering since assumption of office.

The people’s action governor has remained resolute in delivering the dividend of democracy and good governance to Edo people, who trooped out en masse and voted for him to become their governor.

Report has it that Governor Okpebholo, who is an absolute believer and respecter of the rule of law, is confident that the tribunal will uphold the mandate freely given to him by the good people of Edo State.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Fred Itua, in an article titled “The futility of PDP’s petition: A legal dissection”, said, “The principle of onus probandi (burden of proof) is a well-established tenet in Nigerian law. As rightly stated, he who asserts must prove (Ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non qui negat). The burden of proof in an election petition rests squarely on the petitioner — in this case, the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. It is not the responsibility of the declared winner, Senator Monday Okpebholo, nor that of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which merely conducted the election.”

Itua further stated that the PDP’s case suffers from a fundamental deficiency: a lack of credible evidence. He said the PDP and its candidate’s witnesses were plagued by contradictions, assumptions, and hearsay—none of which can stand the rigorous test of judicial scrutiny.

“As the courts have repeatedly held, mere allegations, no matter how loudly echoed in the media, cannot substitute for proof. Hearsay evidence is inadmissible (Section 38 of the Evidence Act, 2011), and speculative claims have no place in a court of law,” Itua said.

“Justice is not dispensed as an act of charity or sympathy; it is a product of superior legal reasoning, backed by credible evidence. As the Supreme Court reaffirmed in Atiku v. INEC & Tinubu (2023), a petitioner must do more than raise allegations; they must substantiate their claims with irrefutable proof. The PDP’s case lacks this foundational requirement, making its collapse inevitable.

“Ultimately, the courts will rule based on law and facts, not on media hysteria or partisan expectations. While the PDP’s supporters may indulge in speculative narratives to discredit the judiciary ahead of an unfavourable judgement, the truth remains unshaken: the election was conducted lawfully, the votes were counted fairly, and Senator Monday Okpebholo won decisively,” he wrote.

Governor Okpebholo, who recently broke several records with laudable projects to mark his 100 days in office, continues to bask in the euphoria of overwhelming support being enjoyed from Edo people and remains committed to improving the lives of the people and the state at large.

The governor remains focused and unshaken in delivering his promises to Edo people. Little wonder he has been christened “Waka Waka” governor because he is always on the move supervising and monitoring projects that are of immense value to the state.