Edo State Election Drama: Tribunal Shuts Down Petition

Breaking: Edo State Tribunal Dismisses Election Petition

Hey there, folks. Let’s dive into the latest twist in the Edo State gubernatorial saga. On Tuesday, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal delivered a major verdict, shutting down a petition brought by the Action Alliance (AA) party. The petition challenged the outcome of the gubernatorial election held on September 21, 2024. The tribunal, headed by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, didn't mince words as it dismissed the case against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its gubernatorial candidate, Governor Monday Okpebholo.

What Was the Petition About?

Let’s rewind for a moment. The Action Alliance, represented by one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, took the matter to the tribunal, alleging some serious issues. Omoaje argued that the declaration of Governor Okpebholo and the APC as the winners of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was completely invalid. He claimed that the declaration was illegal, unlawful, and void because it didn’t comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act. Omoaje also accused the APC and Okpebholo of election corruption, stating that they didn’t secure the majority of lawful votes during the election. To make matters more complicated, he alleged that the AA wasn’t allowed to field a lawful candidate due to the absence of the National Chairman's signature on the nomination form.

APC's Counterattack

Now, the APC didn’t take this sitting down. They hit back hard, pointing out that the petitioners failed to provide sufficient evidence to back up their allegations of over-voting. The APC’s legal team made it crystal clear that proving over-voting isn’t just about making claims; it’s about presenting credible witnesses. They argued that the petitioners needed to call polling unit agents or eyewitnesses who could testify about the alleged irregularities. But guess what? The AA didn’t meet this requirement. The APC's legal counsel urged the tribunal to throw out the case, calling it baseless, lacking in merit, and beyond the tribunal’s jurisdiction.

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Tribunal's Verdict: The Final Word

After hearing both sides, the tribunal sided with the APC. It agreed that the petitioners failed to present enough evidence to substantiate their claims, leading to the dismissal of the case. The tribunal also highlighted an important legal point: only a candidate who actually contested the election has the legal right to challenge the outcome. Since the AA’s candidate didn’t participate in the election, the tribunal ruled that the party lacked the legal standing to challenge the results.

Furthermore, the tribunal addressed Omoaje’s personal grievances, stating that his complaints about not being recognized as the National Chairman of the Action Alliance for the purpose of nominating candidates were unfounded. The tribunal emphasized that his claims didn’t align with the provisions of the Electoral Act of 2022.

Conclusion: A Case Closed

In the end, the tribunal’s decision was clear and decisive. Governor Monday Okpebholo and the APC retained their victory in the Edo State gubernatorial election. This ruling serves as a reminder that in the world of electoral disputes, evidence is king. Without it, even the strongest allegations can fall flat. It’s a lesson for all political parties to ensure they follow the rules to the letter when participating in elections. And that, my friends, is the latest chapter in the Edo State election story.