The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has affirmed Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the duly elected governor of Edo State in the September 21, 2024 governorship election.
In a unanimous ruling on Wednesday, the three-member tribunal panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo.
PDP’s Petition Dismissed Over Lack of Evidence
The tribunal ruled that the PDP and its candidate failed to substantiate claims of electoral malpractice, particularly allegations of over-voting. The panel maintained that Okpebholo secured the highest number of lawful votes, making him the rightful winner.
The tribunal also criticised the petitioners’ presentation of evidence, stating that it lacked credibility and failed to support their claims effectively.
[inline_posts box_title=”Recommend Posts” align=”alignleft” textcolor=”#000000″ background=”#f2f2f2″]48, 51, 60[/inline_posts]
INEC’s Election Results Upheld
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo winner of the election with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who garnered 247,655 votes. Dissatisfied with the outcome, the PDP and Ighodalo approached the tribunal, arguing that the election process violated the Electoral Act 2022.
However, the tribunal ruled that the burden of proof rested on the petitioners, stating that they failed to provide credible evidence to challenge INEC’s declaration.
Tribunal Highlights Weaknesses in PDP’s Case
The ruling panel pointed out several flaws in the PDP’s case, including:
- Lack of credible witnesses: Most witnesses provided hearsay evidence instead of firsthand accounts.
- Failure to present BVAS devices: The petitioners relied on screenshots of BVAS data rather than the actual BVAS machines, which the tribunal noted was insufficient to prove over-voting.
- Introduction of new claims: The PDP introduced new facts not originally stated in their petition, which the tribunal struck out.
PDP Vows to Appeal Tribunal’s Verdict
Despite the ruling, Ighodalo’s legal team has vowed to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal, arguing that the tribunal failed to address key concerns raised in their petition.
With this ruling, Monday Okpebholo’s victory stands affirmed, solidifying his mandate as the duly elected governor of Edo State.
Final Thoughts
As the legal battle continues, political observers will be watching closely to see if the PDP’s appeal gains any traction. For now, the tribunal’s verdict reinforces Okpebholo’s legitimacy, marking a significant milestone in Edo State’s political landscape.
