Edo Governorship Election: PDP Closes Case, Tribunal Adjourns for INEC Defense

PDP and Ighodalo Close Case in Edo Governorship Election Petition

Ayomide Ogunsakin
3 Min Read

By Hassanat Adebowale

 

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in Edo, Asue Ighodalo, have concluded their case at the Edo Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja. The PDP and Ighodalo had filed a petition challenging the outcome of the governorship election, targeting the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Lead counsel for the petitioners, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, informed the tribunal that they had called 19 witnesses and had now closed their case. During the proceedings, INEC presented five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the election. These machines were admitted into evidence despite objections from all respondents, who stated they would provide their reasons in their final written addresses.

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Previously, the tribunal had accepted a total of 148 BVAS machines used in 133 polling units where the election results are disputed by the petitioners.

The Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal adjourned the matter until February 5 for INEC to open its defense. Similarly, the ADP also closed its case after the testimony of its Chairman in Edo, Francis Obamwonyi, who expressed surprise over allegations that the party’s candidate also served as the state collation agent, a responsibility he held.

Obamwonyi stated that his party scored 1,119 votes in the election. When asked to substantiate allegations of non-compliance with the electoral act, over-voting, harassment, and intimidation, he cited reports from the party’s agents at various polling units.

APC Chairman in Edo, Jarrett Tenebe, claimed that the PDP’s abrupt closure of its case indicated a lack of substantial evidence and amounted to an abandonment of the petition. He expressed confidence that the APC would demonstrate its rightful victory when it presents its case.

INEC had declared Okpebholo of the APC the winner of the September 21, 2024, election with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo of the PDP, who received 247,655 votes. The PDP and Ighodalo approached the tribunal to annul INEC’s declaration, alleging non-compliance with the Electoral Act and contesting the validity of the election.

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