The Edo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Emperor Jarreth Tenebe, has lauded the Supreme Court for affirming Senator Monday Okpebholo as the duly elected governor of Edo State. Following the ruling, Tenebe expressed gratitude to the people of Edo, stating: "...came out massively to vote for Senator Monday Okpebholo". A five-member panel of the apex court unanimously dismissed the appeal filed by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Igbhodalo, citing a lack of credible evidence.
Tenebe attributed ongoing development in the state to the people's support for Okpebholo: "If not for them, we would not be getting this development in the state body.
Now the state will witness more and more developments."
He further expressed personal joy, noting the verdict coincided with his daughter's graduation. "Today the judgment of the Supreme Court is a double celebration for me... my little girl, Somi, is graduating today... it is a double celebration for me."
Tenebe took a swipe at the PDP's legal efforts, saying, "I also want to use this victory to thank our lawyers and Asue Ighodalo's lawyers for encouraging him to waste his money from the lower court up to the Supreme Court."
Mocking further appeals, he said, "...the Supreme Court is the highest Court in the country, and who wants to appeal its judgment have to go to heaven to meet God." He added: "if he wants to do that he has to die before us and go to Purgatory... Purgatory is like prison. Finally, I use this opportunity to thank everybody."
In contrast, the PDP, through its Caretaker Committee Chairman Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, responded to the ruling with restraint and hope. "We have come to the end of a long legal journey... we accept the decision of the Court with the utmost respect... Though the judgment did not go in our favour, we accept it with grace and dignity."
Aziegbemi emphasized continued faith: "The Supreme Court has spoken, yes, but the Supreme God, the Almighty, remains the final and ultimate judge... Nigeria's democracy is still a work in progress... one day, our democratic institutions will fully reflect the genuine will of the people."
He assured supporters the PDP remains committed: "We may not have received the verdict we hoped for, but we are not defeated... Our cause is just... this is only another chapter in our shared journey toward a better Edo State and a better Nigeria." He added: "The PDP in Edo State will continue to stand as a voice for the voiceless, a shield for the vulnerable, and a platform for progressive change."
