Nigeria’s Supreme Court has officially fixed Thursday, July 10, 2025, as the date to deliver its much-anticipated final judgment on the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election dispute.
The apex court communicated the ruling date to all parties involved in the case, following an earlier indefinite adjournment after hearing arguments from both sides.
PDP’s Asue Ighodalo Challenges APC’s Monday Okpebholo
The legal battle stems from the outcome of the 2024 Edo governorship election, in which Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Asue Ighodalo, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is challenging that declaration, claiming he won the majority of lawful votes cast and should have been returned elected.
Represented by Ken Mozia (SAN), Ighodalo argued before the court that INEC erred in announcing Okpebholo as the winner.
“We urge the court to invalidate Obekpolo’s return and declare our client as the duly elected governor, based on the actual lawful votes cast,” Mozia told the panel.
INEC and APC Oppose the Petition
However, INEC, through its legal representative Kanu Agabi (SAN), urged the court to dismiss the petition, calling it inconsistent and lacking merit.
Agabi pointed out that the PDP had originally rejected the entire election process, labeling it unlawful and invalid due to alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022.
“You cannot discredit an election and at the same time seek to benefit from it,” Agabi argued.
“They are being inconsistent. If the election is unlawful as claimed, then no one can be declared winner from it.”
He further insisted that the petition was riddled with contradictions, urging the Supreme Court to uphold the victory of Okpebholo.
Panel Reserves Judgment
The five-member panel of justices, presided over by Justice Garba Lawal, had initially reserved its ruling sine die (without a fixed date) after hearing final arguments last week.
“This matter is adjourned sine die. A date for the judgment will be communicated to all the parties,” Justice Lawal stated at the time.
Now, with July 10 officially set as the judgment day, all eyes are on the Supreme Court as it prepares to bring final resolution to the fiercely contested governorship election.
