‘They’re wasting money on cases’ — Okpebholo says he will defeat PDP, Ighodalo at appeal court
Monday Okpebholo, governor of Edo, says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo’s attempt to overturn his victory at the appeal court will fail.
In a statement issued on Friday by Fred Itua, Okpebholo’s chief press secretary (CPS), the governor spoke at the Okaijesan Town Hall, Irrua, the venue for the celebration of his victory at the tribunal.
On Wednesday, the Edo state governorship election petition tribunal affirmed Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of the state.
The governor said Ighodalo and the PDP have declared their intention to challenge the verdict of the tribunal ruling, which gave him and his party victory on Wednesday.
“The opposition party has been talking and shouting, but Edo people spoke very clear and loud with their votes on September 21, 2024,” the statement reads.
“Edo people voted for the right person in Senator Monday Okpebholo. The people will speak again when the time is right.
“We have defeated them at the Tribunal, and they said they want to appeal the ruling. If they like, let them appeal and even get to the Supreme Court. We will defeat them.
“They have stolen enough money from Edo State. So, they are wasting the money on court cases. If they like, let them spend the whole money they stole from the people.
“They will never steal Edo people’s mandates given to me and the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the September 21st governorship election.”
Okpebholo revealed plans by his administration to develop Esan land through road infrastructure, noting that the contract to dualise the old road from Ekpoma to Ubiaja has been awarded,
“As we won this election, the first thing we did was to make sure our roads were motorable across Edo State. If you come to Enewa now, it’s looking like Abuja, as we are putting our efforts to ensure we have good roads to boost economic activities,” he said.
“I know the problem of Edo State and Esan land. I have already awarded the old road from Ekpoma to Ubiaja to be dualized. There will be much space to enable vehicles to pass freely without hitting each other. When completed, this road will boost economic activities in the area.
“I am an Edo man, an Esan man, and I know the problem of Esan people. Today, I came to tell you people that the Tribunal has given us victory again after the September 21st governorship election.
“The people have spoken, and by the grace of God very soon, what we promised our people, they will start enjoying it. The promise like the soft loan, our people will soon start getting the money.
“They will soon start to enjoy it. It will start happening in less than two weeks. The money is ready. Names are being compiled for the interested people who want the loan.”
