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Supreme Court Affirms Okpebholo as APC Candidate for Edo Governorship, Dismisses Ighodalo’s Appeal
Supreme Court of Nigeria on Thursday affirmed Senator Monday Okpebholo as the Governor of Edo State, dismissing the appeal filed by the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo.
A 5-member panel of the apex court in the lead judgment delivered by Justice Lawal Garba, held that the appellants failed to prove their case of over-voting, non-compliance with the Electoral Act, among other infractions which they cited as grounds to fault the electoral victory of Okpebholo.
In a unanimous judgment, the apex court held that with the submission before it, Ighodalo was not duly elected by the majority of lawful votes cast.
Specifically, the apex court held that the PDP candidate failed to prove non-compliance as he merely challenged the outcome of the election in 395 of the 4,519 polling units where elections were held.
The apex court panel also said the 19 witnesses called at the Tribunal stage did not help the case of the PDP in challenging the outcome of the election.
The apex court held that it found no reason to set aside the previous judgment of the lower courts, stating that the appellant failed to prove, without doubt, admissible evidence to the claim that the election was marred by irregularities and over-voting and proceeded to dismiss Igodhalo’s appeal.
It wouldbe recalled that the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on May 29, 2025, affirmed the decision of the Edo State governorship Election Petition tribunal that affirmed the election victory of Governor Okpebholo.
The three-member panel of the Appellate court in a unanimous decision dismissed Ighodalo’s appeal, describing it as devoid of merit.
Meanwhile, on April 2, 2025, a three-member panel of the Edo State governorship Election Petition Tribunal, chaired by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, in a unanimous decision, dismissed the petition of the PDP and Ighodalo for their inability to prove the allegation of over-voting as stated in their petition to challenge Okpebholo’s victory.
The tribunal faulted the way and manner in which the petitioners proved their evidence in relation to the allegations brought before it and affirmed that Okpebholo scored the highest number of valid votes in the election.
The petitioners in a petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024 alleged that Okpebholo did not score the highest number of votes in the election, adding that the election was marred by multiple irregularities and corrupt practices.
The petitioners alleged a high record of over-voting in the election and prayed the tribunal to nullify the election over non-serialisation of ballots, incorrect collation of figures, and erroneous computation of scores in 765 polling units.
The petitioners also argued that the election was marred by non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
It was equally the contention of the petitioners that INEC failed to serialise and pre-record some of the sensitive materials that were deployed for the poll, a situation they said aided the rigging of the election in favour of the APC and its candidate.
In the course of the trial, the petitioners called 19 witnesses to defend their claim that the election was marred with irregularities and should be nullified, while INEC, the 1st respondent, did not call any witnesses.
The petitioners subpoenaed a Senior Technical Officer from INEC’s ICT Department, who tendered 154 BVAS machines from 133 polling units to the tribunal to support their allegations of over-voting.
Okpebholo, the 2nd respondent in the petition, called a lone witness, while the APC, the third respondent, called four witnesses before closing its defence.
While the petitioners urged the tribunal to nullify the election as they had presented sufficient evidence to prove their allegations, the respondents, on their part, prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition on the grounds that the contentions of the petitioners were without merit.
They claimed the petitioners failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt their claims that Ighodalo, not Okpebholo, won the election.
The tribunal, in its judgment, led by Justice Kpochi, held that the petitioners did not convince the court in linking the allegations to the evidence tendered.
The tribunal held that it is clear that the documents, which include the voters register, the BVAS machine, and form EC8a, were required to prove the allegations of overvoting, but the petitioners failed to demonstrate it.
The tribunal also said most of the witnesses who testified for the petitioners gave hearsay evidence.
“We hold that the failure by the petitioners to call polling unit agents presiding officers or other registered voters was fatal to the case.
“It still remains the law that documents do not speak for themselves. A petitioner must prove their evidence. The allegation of non-compliance must be proved.
“It is not for us to sit back and look at it. Among the other plentitude of documents dumped on us, we still require evidence that shows that there was an extra recording of votes.
“The BVAS machine was clearly dumped and remains dormant. None of the witnesses could speak to the BVAS machine. The machines were not demonstrated to prove the allegations of overvoting.
“All the evidence documents tendered by the petitioners to prove overvoting fall short of the requirements.
“The law requires that the petitioners shall call witnesses to link the evidence rendered,” the tribunal held.
Justice Kpochi also said when an election is conducted in flagrant disobedience to the orders of the electoral Act, such an election is said to be conducted not in compliance with the electoral Act but the petitioners failed to prove that the Independent National Electoral Commission did not comply with the provisions of the electoral Act in the conduct of the elections.
“The petitioners failed to prove that the first defendant did not comply with the provisions of the electoral act or INEC rules of conduct as required by law”, Justice Kpochi stated.
The tribunal also held that, as against the petitioners’ claims by their witnesses, there are serial numbers on the ballot papers. “There are figures here,” Justice Kpochi said.
The tribunal dismissed the allegation that there was no prior recording of the electoral material before the commencement of voting and dismissed the petitioners’ petition.
In the Edo state governorship poll, INEC declared that Okpebholo polled 291,667, emerging the winner, while Ighodalo and PDP polled 247,655 votes in second position.
Kingdom Men Global Network aka KMEN has formally announced the programmes of the 13th edition of its flagship annual gathering for men, Mega Summit.
This year’s event will open on Thursday May 14 and end on Sunday May 17 with an all-men musical concert.
The 2026 edition of Mega Summit which will hold at the Presken Hotels on Alade Avenue opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos has as theme: Legacy…Faith. Family. Community. And for the first time Mega Summit will host an award on the opening day in memory of foremost Nigerian diplomat and integrity personified and pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustee of KMEN, late Dr Christopher Kolade who died last year at the age of 92.
The KMEN-Christopher Kolade – Men in Leadership Award for Courageous Manhood will be heralded by the Men in Leadership Summit (MiLEADS) with the sub-theme – Building a Culture of Leadership with Integrity. And will have as speakers Archbishop John Osa-Oni of Vineyard Christian Ministries., Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, and renowned Pharmacist, entrepreneur and politician Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR.
Pastor Tunde Bakare
Day two will feature another special session for Men in Church Leadership (MiCLEADS) with the sub-theme: Leaving a Legacy of Faith/Discipling for the Next Generation, and will have as speakers Bishop Sunday Onadipe, Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Badagry, Apostle Eyinnaya Okwuonu, former Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos Chapter., Pastor Dominion Roberts from Liberia, and Rev Fr Matthew Ogunyase of the Catholic Mission, Lagos.
While day three will open with a Special Town Hall discussion on Family with the sub-theme – The Father’s Role in Shaping Legacy and is the only mixed gender panel for Mega Summit 2026 featuring foremost life change coach, Mrs. Yemisi Lagunju and Rev David Abraham, who is the managing director of Managing Business for Christ (MBFC).
On Saturday is a Special Town Hall on Resisting an Emerging Legacy of Addictions. This segment will feature a presentation by Dr Dokun Adedeji on the ravage of Drug Addictions, alongside Abiose Akolade Ladipo, Co-Founder of GamblePause, a Lagos-based NGO in the fight against Gambling Addictions.
Later in the afternoon on Saturday is a second Town Hall session on Business and Economy with the sub-theme: Building Sustainable/Generational Businesses, and will feature notable panelists like Rev Professor Biodun Adedipe Founder of BA and Associates, and Rev Dr Abba Peter, Managing Director of Best Practices Limited, among others.Other Town Hall segments at Mega Summit 2026 include that on Politics/Governance with the sub-theme: Swimming Against the Tide – National Transformation through Service, and another Town Hall on Media featuring Mr. Mustapha Isah Osikhekha, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Omoba Deji Irawo and others as they navigate best way to Reclaim the Narrative: Legacy in Digital Spaces.
An extra-ordinary edition, the 13th edition of Mega Summit will also have segments designed to equip leaders in men’s ministry through the instrument of KMEN’s School of Men’s Ministry/ISI Training. Each day of Mega Summit 2026 is divided into three segments – morning starting at 9 am, afternoon session and evening climaxing with an impartation service.KMEN is an uncompromisingly Bible-based, independent ministry to men. Established nearly two decades ago, the ministry’s objective is to assist men, irrespective of their church affiliations, in their Christian Walk, that they may become better sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and leaders.
Manchester United are ready to spend in the region of £150million to sign three central midfielders this summer if there is enough room in the transfer budget.
Daily Mail Sport understands that United have earmarked around £80m for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro, who will leave at the end of his contract despite hopes among some fans that he could extend his stay at Old Trafford.
United know their No 1 target Elliot Anderson is likely to cost in excess of £100m, and Manchester City are in pole position to sign the Nottingham Forest star.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni are other names in the frame, although United’s interest in Tonali has cooled slightly and Tchouameni wants to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu.
United are prepared to spend around £40m on another midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte if they can get a reasonable price for the Uruguayan who cost £50m from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a player of interest, and Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams would also fall into that category.
Despite tying Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract, United could strengthen their squad by signing a third midfielder for about £20m. It’s understood that scouts have been monitoring the progress of Southampton’s Shea Charles.
However, it will depend on how much money is available with United expected to bring in a left-sided forward, left-back, central defender and a reserve goalkeeper in the summer.
The club will have considerably more to spend after confirming their return to the Champions League by beating Liverpool on Sunday, which is worth in excess of £100m.
United also hope to bank significant transfer fees for Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Ugarte and, possibly, Joshua Zirkzee while creating additional space on the wage bill by offloading Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Altay Bayindir.
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
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