The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in the September 21, 2024, governorship election in Edo State, Asue Ighodalo, on Thursday, alleged that the All Progressives Congress attempted to bribe his witnesses at the tribunal with N30 million.
Ighodalo, however, expressed gratitude to his witnesses for their perseverance and loyalty to the cause, vowing to take the battle to the Supreme Court to “claim his mandate.”
Speaking at the PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Benin, Ighodalo stated that he, his running mate Osarodion Ogie, and other party members in the state would continue the fight despite the tribunal’s verdict, which he believed sought to undermine justice.
“We will fight this battle to the end. Many of our supporters left their homes to be here. All our witnesses have been steadfast, despite being offered N30m to sway them. They stood firm with the party, and I thank everyone,” he said.
In the election held on September 21, 2024, APC’s Monday Okpebholo won with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who garnered 247,655 votes.
Dissatisfied with the result, the PDP and Ighodalo filed a petition against the Independent National Electoral Commission, Okpebholo, and the APC at the tribunal.
On April 2, 2025, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal dismissed the petition and upheld Okpebholo’s victory.
Unfazed, Ighodalo and the PDP proceeded with an appeal.
At Thursday’s stakeholders’ meeting, Ighodalo stated, “The tribunal’s verdict was not fair. We’ve appealed, and we’ll take the case to the Supreme Court. We are confident that God will intervene because He is just. We must remain strong and focused, despite everything happening around us.”
Ighodalo promised that once they reclaim the mandate, they would build upon the foundations laid by former Governor Lucky Igbinedion.
“When we get our mandate, we will pick up where leaders like Lucky Igbinedion left off. After our eight years in office, everyone will be comfortable, except those unwilling to work. God has been teaching us humility and strength of character. If we had been sworn in after the election, we would have made a big mistake by appointing the wrong people. The loyalty of party members will be rewarded when we take office,” he said.
A party leader and former Minister of External Affairs, Tom Ikhimi, accused the APC of attacking the PDP to pave the way for a one-party state.
He expressed confidence that Ighodalo and Ogie had won the election, asserting that the “stolen mandate” would be retrieved.
“The PDP kickstarted this Fourth Republic, and I’m glad to see the first governor and deputy governor of the state here with us. Their presence provides leadership to the party, and it is commendable. The PDP is a family, and despite the current challenges, we will prevail. The APC has been hijacked and is now serving personal interests. The best way forward is to ensure the survival of the PDP,” he said.
Edo State PDP Caretaker Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, acknowledged the party’s current struggles but expressed optimism that these difficulties would bring out the best in the PDP.
He assured that the majority of the state still supported the party.
“We may be facing challenges, but we are the majority in the state. The quality of people in this party will shine through when we face adversity. If the APC is using coercion to bring in PDP members, it only shows the weakness of the APC at the national level,” Aziegbemi said.
Igbinedion, former governor of the state, emphasised that there were only two political parties in Nigeria: the PDP and everyone else.
He urged Edo State PDP members to focus on marketing the party and building support.
The party’s Publicity Secretary, Chris Nehikhare, admitted that the party was facing difficult times, but reiterated that the challenges were not new.
“Every serious political organisation with a mandate to serve must occasionally pause, reflect, and recommit to its core values. That’s exactly where we are today,” he stated.