In every academic setting, there comes a time when a student, through sheer diligence and mastery of their subject, is assured of excellence, regardless of external biases. A well-prepared student, having studied rigorously and answered all exam questions correctly, is bound to secure distinction—even if the lecturer dislikes them. Merit cannot be denied. This analogy perfectly encapsulates the current situation with Asue Ighodalo at the election tribunal.
Asue Ighodalo has presented an airtight case, leaving no room for doubt regarding his victory in the Edo governorship election. The evidence is overwhelming, the documentation precise, and the legal arguments unshakable. This is not merely about claiming victory—it is about an indisputable mandate that the people of Edo State freely gave him, which cannot be brushed aside.
One of the strongest pillars of Asue’s case is the comprehensive evidence he has brought before the tribunal. Unlike most election petitioners who struggle to obtain crucial materials, Asue has done the extraordinary—he has acquired both the BVAS machines and the BVAS Certified True Copies (CTC). This dual possession is rare in electoral disputes and signifies that his legal team has gone beyond conventional boundaries to substantiate their claims.
The BVAS data is a game-changer. It exposes clear instances of over-voting, which in itself is a fundamental breach of electoral integrity. When the total number of votes cast surpasses the number of accredited voters, the election in such unit should be nullified. Asue’s ability to present these irrefutable figures strengthens his case beyond what is ordinarily expected in election disputes.
Beyond legal technicalities, this case is also a moral one. Edo people did not just vote for Asue; they overwhelmingly entrusted him with their future. His victory was not marginal—it was decisive. That is why attempts to suppress it cannot stand the test of time, facts, or justice.
This is not just a fight for Asue Ighodalo; it is a fight for the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral process. If a candidate who has secured both documentary and digital proof of his victory is denied justice, then democracy itself is at risk. The judiciary must now decide whether to uphold the will of the people or allow electoral malpractices to define our democratic experience.
At this point, the case has been laid bare. Asue Ighodalo has done everything required to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that he won the election. Now, the fate of Edo State lies in the hands of the judiciary.
Will the courts uphold the truth and restore the people’s mandate? Or will justice be sacrificed on the altar of political convenience? The answer to these questions will not only determine Asue’s fate but also set a precedent for the future of electoral justice in Nigeria.
For now, we wait—confident that the truth cannot be hidden forever.