Edo PDP Hails Appeal Court Judgement on Governorship Election, Berates Aziegbemi Over Attack on Judges

By Solomon Ewela, Benin

The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has strongly condemned what it described as the reckless and baseless remarks made by the factional caretaker state chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi on the Appeal Court judgement in the last September 21 Edo State Governorship Election.

The appeal of the judgment of the tribunal by the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, challenging the victory of incumbent Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was dismissed by the appellate court, sitting in Abuja on Thursday, May 29, 2025.

A statement on Friday in Benin by Mr. Bob-Manuel Umoru, the Edo State PDP caretaker committee publicity secretary faulted Dr. Aziegbemi for unjustly accusing the justices of the Court of Appeal of bias in the watershed judgment.

Mr. Umoru said that the factional caretaker committee chairman’s statement is uncultured, tactless, and deeply unfortunate.

The publicity secretary said that Dr. Aziegbemi’s outburst does not reflect the position of the PDP in Edo State and should be disregarded in its entirety by the public and its teeming supporters.

He added: “His utterances merely echo the frustrations of a diminishing faction loyal to former Governor Godwin Obaseki those who continue to promote a self-serving, stomach infrastructure politics, devoid of legal understanding or democratic ethos.”

As a party, he remarked that the PDP firmly believe in the rule of law and the sanctity of the judiciary, adding that the Court of Appeal, a respected institution, cannot and should not be likened to the erratic governance style of former Edo State Governor Obaseki, which flouted the laws he swore to uphold.

Mr. Umoru said: “We affirm our trust in the integrity, competence, and impartiality of the Honourable Justices of the Court of Appeal. The judgment delivered is a reflection of the principles of justice and the electoral laws of our land.

“We urge our supporters across the state to remain calm and law-abiding as we await the certified true copy of the judgment for a comprehensive legal review and informed decision on the way forward.

“The Edo PDP remains committed to democracy, justice, and the collective will of the people.”

Azegbemi had earlier in a statement strongly condemned the justices for what he described as muscarinic of justice on the Edo State Governorship Election delivered on the 29th of May, 2025.