Korede Abdullah in Lagos
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024, governorship poll.
In a landmark ruling delivered in Abuja on Wednesday, the three-man panel dismissed the petition filed by Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that the election was conducted validly.
Justice Wilfred Kpochi, the tribunal chairman, stated that the petitioners failed to substantiate their claims of electoral malpractice.
The tribunal ruled that the PDP and Ighodalo did not provide sufficient evidence to prove allegations of over-voting, irregularities, or result manipulation.
It emphasized that key electoral documents such as the voter’s register, BVAS, and Form EC8A, which are required to establish over-voting, were not properly tendered.
Additionally, the court noted that no eyewitnesses were called to testify in support of the allegations, weakening the credibility of the claims.
The tribunal also criticized the petitioners for merely submitting documents without providing necessary explanations.
Following the initial declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Okpebholo had been announced as the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes.
Dissatisfied, the PDP and its candidate challenged the outcome, arguing that electoral malpractices affected 765 polling units.
Their legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Ken Mozia, claimed discrepancies in collation results, with figures allegedly altered between polling units and ward collation centers.
However, the tribunal dismissed these claims, reaffirming Okpebholo’s victory and solidifying APC’s mandate in Edo State.
