The Supreme Court has postponed its ruling in the legal tussle over the Edo State governorship election between Senator Monday Obekpolo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Mr Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The apex court’s decision was announced on Tuesday by the presiding justice, Garba Lawal, who disclosed that judgment would be delivered on a date to be communicated later. This follows the conclusion of final arguments by counsel representing all parties in the matter.
Mr Ighodalo, the PDP candidate, through his counsel Ken Mozia, SAN, called on the court to overturn the declared victory of Senator Obekpolo, insisting that he polled the highest number of valid votes and should therefore be recognised as the legitimate winner of the election.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kanu Agabi, urged the court to dismiss the appeal in its entirety. Agabi contended that the appellants had undermined their own case by branding the election process as unlawful due to alleged breaches of the Electoral Act 2022.
“The appellants cannot call an election illegal and still seek to benefit from it,” Agabi told the court, describing the appeal as contradictory and lacking in merit.
The legal battle has continued to draw significant public attention in Edo State and across the country, as stakeholders await the Supreme Court’s final verdict, which could alter the political landscape ahead of future elections.
