Edo State Election Drama: The Final Verdict Is Almost Here

The Countdown Begins: Edo State Election Judgment Looms

Naija News has learned that all eyes are on Abuja today as the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal prepares to deliver its verdict. This decision will determine the fate of the highly contested gubernatorial election that took place on September 21, 2024. The tribunal, headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi and supported by two other judges, announced the judgment date earlier this week after reviewing the final arguments from all parties involved. This case pits the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The air is thick with anticipation as the tribunal is set to make a decision that could change the political landscape in Edo State. The PDP and Ighodalo are challenging the election results, claiming that the process was riddled with irregularities and did not meet the legal standards outlined in the Electoral Act, 2022. Meanwhile, Governor Okpebholo, declared the winner with 291,667 votes compared to Ighodalo’s 247,655, insists the election was free, fair, and compliant with the law.

The Battle Lines Are Drawn: What the PDP and Ighodalo Are Saying

Let’s break it down. The PDP and Ighodalo are arguing that the election results don’t reflect the true will of the people. They claim that Governor Okpebholo didn’t secure the most lawful votes cast during the election. Their petition, marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, raises several issues, including the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to properly serialize and pre-record sensitive materials like ballot papers and result sheets. According to the petitioners, this lack of organization opened the door for widespread rigging in favor of the APC.

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During their final arguments, the PDP’s lead lawyer, Mr. Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, pointed to discrepancies in the results from 765 polling units across the state. They highlighted instances where vote counts inexplicably skyrocketed during collation, like one case where 25 votes magically turned into 525. “We’re not denying that elections happened at the polling units,” Oyeyipo told the tribunal, “but my lords, how do you explain such glaring inconsistencies?” The PDP is urging the tribunal to cancel the Certificate of Return issued to Governor Okpebholo and declare Ighodalo the rightful winner, arguing they’ve provided substantial evidence to back their claims.

Defending the Win: The APC and Governor Okpebholo’s Case

On the other side of the table, the APC, Governor Okpebholo, and INEC are standing firm, urging the tribunal to dismiss the petition. They argue that the PDP and Ighodalo have failed to present credible evidence to support their allegations. INEC’s lead counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, pointed out a glaring contradiction in the petitioners’ case. While they claim the election process was flawed, they simultaneously ask to be declared the winners. Agabi asked the tribunal to consider this inconsistency carefully.

Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, representing Governor Okpebholo, dismissed the petition as nothing more than an “academic exercise.” He reminded the tribunal that the Supreme Court had already ruled that allegations of over-voting couldn’t be proven without evidence from the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines. APC’s counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, echoed these sentiments, arguing that the petitioners have not met the legal burden of proof required to overturn the election results.

As the tribunal prepares to deliver its verdict, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The outcome will not only affect the political future of Edo State but also set a precedent for how election disputes are handled in Nigeria. Whatever happens, one thing is certain: this case will be talked about for a long time to come.