President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on the Supreme Court’s affirmation of his election victory, urging him to unite all citizens for the development of the state.

The apex court on Friday dismissed the petition filed by Asue Ighodalo, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaration that gave Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) victory with 291,667 votes against Ighodalo’s 247,655.

Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Garba Lawal held that the appellant failed to present sufficient evidence of electoral malpractice or non-compliance with the Electoral Act, thereby affirming Okpebholo’s election.

In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu congratulated Governor Okpebholo and praised the APC for the legal triumph.

“Now that the governor has cleared the legal hurdles, it is time to accelerate the delivery of exceptional services and good governance to the people of Edo State, which he has already begun to do,” the President said.

Tinubu urged Okpebholo to be magnanimous in victory and to rally all Edo citizens regardless of political affiliation behind the shared goal of state development.

He also congratulated the APC leadership and members in Edo State, calling for continued unity and dedication in fulfilling the party’s mandate ahead of future electoral challenges.