The two factions of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State have taken divergent positions on Thursday’s Appeal Court judgement which upheld the verdict of the Election Petition Tribunal delivered in April affirming the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.
While the Dr. Tony Azieegbemi-led faction rejected the judgement accusing the court of bias, the faction led by Dan Osi Orbih-led hailed the judgement and congratulated the governor.
Newsmata.com.ng reports that the appeal filed by the PDP governorship candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, challenging the Okpebholo’s victory was dismissed by the appellate court, sitting in Abuja on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
However, condemning the Appeal Court’s verdict when he spoke with journalists shortly after the judgement, Dr. Aziegbemi, said their lawyers would obtain the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgement to enable them to approach the Supreme Court.
While accusing the Justices of bias, Aziegbemi said, “there are so many grounds to appeal to the Supreme Court”. He therefore appealed PDP faithful to remain calm and keep hope alive.
However, berating Aziegbemi over his perceived uncharitable comments, publicity secretary of the Dan Orbih-led faction, Bob-Manuel Umoru, in a statement on Friday, upbraided him for unjustly accusing the justices of the Court of Appeal of bias in the “watershed judgement”.
Umoru said the factional caretaker committee chairman’s statement was “uncultured, tactless, and deeply unfortunate”.
The publicity scribe said Dr. Aziegbemi’s outburst did not reflect the position of the PDP in Edo State and should be disregarded in its entirety by the public and its teeming supporters, stressing that as a party, “the PDP firmly believes in the rule of law and the sanctity of the judiciary”.
He described the Court of Appeal as a respected institution “which cannot and should not be likened to the erratic governance style of former Edo State Governor Obaseki” he claimed flouted the laws he swore to uphold.
The statement reads:
“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edo State Chapter, strongly condemns the reckless and baseless remarks made by former State Chairman, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, wherein he unjustly accused the Justices of the Court of Appeal of bias in the recent judgment.
“Dr. Aziegbemi’s statement is uncultured, tactless, and deeply unfortunate. It does not reflect the position of the PDP in Edo State and should be disregarded in its entirety by the public and our teeming supporters.
“His utterances merely echo the frustrations of a diminishing faction loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki those who continue to promote a self-serving, stomach infrastructure politics, devoid of legal understanding or democratic ethos.
“As a Party, we firmly believe in the rule of law and the sanctity of the judiciary. The Court of Appeal, a respected institution, cannot and should not be likened to the erratic governance style of Governor Obaseki, which flouted the laws he swore to uphold.
“We affirm our trust in the integrity, competence, and impartiality of the Honourable Justices of the Court of Appeal.
“The judgement delivered is a reflection of the principles of justice and the electoral laws of our land.
“We urge our supporters across the state to remain calm and law-abiding as we await the certified true copy of the judgment for a comprehensive legal review and informed decision on the way forward.
“The Edo PDP remains committed to democracy, justice, and the collective will of the people”.