Edo poll: APC offered witnesses N30m bribe, Ighodalo alleges

Ighodalo

The candidate of the Peoples 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.