National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja has dismissed the petition filed by the Social Democratic Party (SDP) seeking to nullify Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election.
The SDP had initially approached the tribunal, along with five other political parties, to challenge the outcome of the September 21, 2024 governorship election .
However, in a surprise move, the SDP’s counsel, Mr. Jackson Ehiavhie, informed the tribunal that the party was no longer interested in pursuing the case.
Ehiavhie stated that he had received instructions from the National Secretariat of the SDP to withdraw the petition .
With no objections from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Governor Okpebholo, or the All Progressives Congress (APC), the tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the petition in a short ruling.
The SDP had alleged that the election was marred by irregularities, including the failure of INEC to electronically transmit collated votes at polling units as required by law.
However, with the withdrawal of the petition, these allegations will not be further investigated.
The tribunal’s decision brings an end to the SDP’s challenge against Governor Okpebholo’s election.
However, other petitions filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other parties are still pending.
