The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has applauded the Supreme Court over the verdict affirming Governor Monday Okpebholo as the bona fide winner of the September 2024 governorship election in Edo State.

Wike hailed the judgment in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Thursday.

Naijaonpoint reports that the Supreme Court on Thursday upheld the victory of Sen. 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 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 those challenging the governor’s mandate to join hands with him and move the state forward.

Wike advised 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.

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.”