Asue Ighodalo has reacted to the Supreme Court judgment affirming the victory of All Progressives Congress (APC), Monday Okpebholo, in Edo State’s gubernatorial election.
Ighodalo was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the September 2024 governorship election.
Ighodalo, in his reaction to the apex court verdict on Thursday, said the judgment smacks of injustice and approval of impunity and illegality.
He stated that though he accepted the finality of the judgment, “I do not and cannot pretend that what was delivered amounts to justice.”
His grievance and displeasure at the Supreme Court judgment is registered in a statement he personally signed in Abuja shortly after the apex court ruled against him in the election dispute.
The PDP candidate noted that the election was not a contest but a robbery, stressing that it was “coordinated, deliberate and now, tragically validated by the highest court in the land”.
”While I will not and cannot obstruct any judicial pronouncement, no matter how flawed, I must never fear to speak truth to power,” he said.
According to him, like the voter, he feels a deep sense of betrayal, noting that the will of the people was subverted.
”Not just by those who rigged the process, but by the very institutions we trusted to protect our democracy.
”You came out in hope. You voted for competence, for progress, for prosperity and now, we are told that your voice does not matter.
”That your freely given mandate can be trampled without consequence.
”I feel your pain. I share your anger. And I will never forget your courage”, he said.