Friday May 30, 2025 – Monday Okpebholo has extended political amnesty to Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the 2024 governorship election, following his defeat in court.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Fred Itua, Okpebholo described the move as an act of sportsmanship and reconciliation, emphasizing that Ighodalo still has a role to play in the state’s development. He invited Ighodalo to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing shared visions for Edo’s progress.
Okpebholo also pointed out that Ighodalo had been abandoned by key political allies, including former Governor Godwin Obaseki, who he claimed had retreated to the United States. He assured Ighodalo that past political differences would be set aside if he accepted the offer, framing the gesture as a way to heal divisions that emerged during the election.
The offer comes after the Court of Appeal upheld Okpebholo’s election victory, dismissing Ighodalo’s challenge. Despite the setback, Ighodalo has vowed to take his case to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the ruling.
