The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja will deliver its judgment today on the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, election.
Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who received 247,655 votes. However, the PDP argues that the election was not conducted in compliance with the Electoral Act and alleges irregularities, including vote inflation in 765 polling units.
“We concede that elections took place at the polling units, but my lords, for instance, how 25 votes metamorphosed to 525 votes at a particular collation centre is what we are quarrelling with,” said PDP’s lead counsel, Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN.
The PDP is seeking to have Okpebholo’s Certificate of Return nullified and Ighodalo declared the rightful winner. However, INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC have dismissed the claims as unsubstantiated. INEC’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, argued that the petition lacked credible evidence, while Okpebholo’s lawyer, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, called it an “academic exercise.”
Governor Okpebholo has urged peace, saying, “The tribunal’s decision is a crucial part of our democratic process, and we must all respect its authority.”
The tribunal’s ruling will be a major moment for Edo State’s political landscape.
