No More Drama! Obaseki’s Ex-Aide Pressures PDP, Ighodalo To Accept Okpebholo’s Victory

John Mayaki, a former Chief Press Secretary to ex-Governor Godwin Obaseki, has urged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the September 21 governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, to accept the tribunal’s verdict and work with the incoming administration for the betterment of Edo State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Although Mayaki had not originally supported Governor Monday Okpebholo, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, he has now thrown his weight behind initiatives aimed at advancing the state’s development. He noted that with the election tribunal upholding Okpebholo’s victory, attention should now shift from politics to governance and collaboration.

Mayaki described the tribunal’s judgment as impartial and just, stating it reaffirms the strength of democratic governance in Edo State.

“With the governor’s mandate now reaffirmed, the time has come to focus fully on the development of our state,” he remarked.

As the convener of the Coalition for Good Governance and Economic Justice in Africa, Mayaki stressed the importance of setting aside political differences and prioritizing Edo’s progress.

While recognizing the PDP and Ighodalo’s legal right to pursue an appeal, he expressed concerns about international involvement in Nigeria’s judicial affairs, especially in light of the U.S. Mission’s statement indicating plans to monitor the legal process.

“I don’t believe foreign missions have a role in our judiciary or internal politics. There are boundaries that must be respected,” he said.

Mayaki advised the PDP to rely on legal reasoning rather than foreign commentary, emphasizing that Nigeria’s judiciary is guided by the law and the weight of evidence—not external pressures.

“We can’t continue to blame the judiciary when verdicts don’t go our way. These institutions must be safeguarded, not weakened. If we destroy them today, we’ll be the ones needing them tomorrow,” he warned.

He also applauded the media for its fair coverage of the tribunal proceedings, noting that responsible journalism helped reinforce Governor Okpebholo’s electoral win.