National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has reserved judgment in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
After all parties adopted their final briefs of argument, the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal adjourned the matter for judgment, with the date to be communicated to the parties.
The petitioners alleged that the election was not conducted in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022, and that Governor Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes cast at the election.
They also claimed that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to serialize and pre-record some sensitive materials deployed for the poll, which allegedly aided the rigging of the election in favor of the APC and its candidate.
However, INEC, Governor Okpebholo, and the APC prayed the tribunal to dismiss the petition, arguing that the petitioners failed to provide credible evidence to support their claims.
They also contended that the petitioners’ reliefs were incongruous with the case they presented before the tribunal.
The tribunal’s judgment will determine the fate of the petition and the legitimacy of Governor Okpebholo’s election victory.
