Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has hailed the Supreme Court judgment affirming the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo in the September 2024 governorship election.

Mr Wike hailed the judgment in a statement by his senior special assistant on public communications and social media, Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Thursday.

The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the victory of Mr Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the governorship election in the state.

A five-member panel of the apex court, in a unanimous judgment, held that the appellants – the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the election, Asue Ighodalo – failed to establish their case with sufficient and credible evidence.

Reacting, the minister described the judgment as a final confirmation of the mandate freely given to the governor by the people of Edo.

He urged Okpebholo to remain focused and see the victory as a further call to selfless service to the people of Edo.

“This victory is for the people of Edo, who elected Okpebholo. It is a call for greater commitment to the service of the people.

“I congratulate the governor and urge him to keep doing his best for the upliftment of his people,” he said.

Mr Wike also urged the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to join hands with Mr Okpebholo to develop the state.

The minister said, “Now that a final answer has been provided as to the question of who actually won the governorship election, it behoves all opponents of the governor to, in the interest of the Edo people, join hands with him.”

(NAN)