The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2024 Edo State election, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has strongly criticised Governor Monday Okpebholo over his recent remarks regarding the Edo State Election Tribunal
During an appearance on TVC News’ ‘Journalist Hangout,’ Okpebholo alleged that efforts were being made to bribe tribunal officials, claiming, “They are mopping up money to go and bribe tribunal people.
In response, Ighodalo denounced the statement as false, reckless, and a deliberate attempt to blackmail the judiciary.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Erhabor Emokpae, Ighodalo described Okpebholo’s claims as “deeply irresponsible” and a calculated effort to intimidate the judiciary while undermining public confidence in the legal process.
“Let it be stated unequivocally: there is absolutely no truth to Okpebholo’s insinuation. It is a blatant lie, and he knows it.
“The members of the tribunal, more than anyone else, also know that no such attempt has been made, would be made, nor could it ever succeed,” Ighodalo said.
He accused Okpebholo of seeking to discredit any tribunal ruling that does not favour him, calling it a “classic tactic of a sore loser.”
According to Ighodalo, the APC candidate’s remarks reflect desperation and an attempt to preemptively delegitimise the judicial process.
“It is deeply troubling that a respondent in an ongoing case would seek to undermine the integrity of the judicial panel with such baseless accusations.
“This is a brazen and irresponsible attack intended to intimidate the members of the Election Petition Tribunal and erode public trust in our legal institutions,” he stated.
Ighodalo further criticised Okpebholo for making contradictory statements, questioning how he could simultaneously claim to trust the judiciary while accusing it of corruption.
He also pointed out that Okpebholo had not attended a single tribunal session yet chose to comment publicly on the proceedings.
“This attempt to pressure the tribunal through public defamation must be condemned by all. It is dangerous, it is reckless, and it is beneath the dignity of anyone who claims to be a leader,” Ighodalo said.
He urged the tribunal to take note of Okpebholo’s remarks, not because they hold merit, but as evidence of an attempt to manipulate public perception.
“Edo State deserves better. Nigeria deserves better. The judiciary must not allow itself to be dragged into the mud by those who neither understand nor respect the rule of law,” he added.
Ighodalo reaffirmed his confidence in the judicial system, stating that the tribunal’s verdict would be based on facts and legal principles rather than what he described as “fabrications of lies and fear-mongering” from political opponents.
Okpebholo and Ighodalo are in court over the outcome of the 2024 Edo State Governorship Election in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner.
According to INEC, Okpebholo scored a total of 291,667 votes to emerge a winner of the election while Ighodalo scored a total of 247,274 votes to come second and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party scored a total of 22,763 votes to secure third position.
INEC announced that the APC won in 11 local government areas, while the PDP claimed victory in seven. However, Ighodalo alleged irregularities in the election, calling it one of the worst in Nigeria’s history.
