PDP Rejects Tribunal's Decision, Vows To Appeal Governorship Election Outcome

Edo State PDP Dismisses Tribunal's Verdict, Claims Their Candidate Won

In a bold move, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State has categorically rejected the recent ruling by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The tribunal upheld the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the gubernatorial election held on September 21, 2024. However, the PDP isn't backing down. They’ve come out swinging, insisting that their candidate, Asue Ighodalo, was the rightful winner according to the majority of voters in the state.

During a press conference in Benin on Wednesday, Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, voiced his strong disapproval of the tribunal’s verdict. Speaking with conviction, Aziegbemi said, “The Edo Election Petition Tribunal has delivered its ruling on our petition, challenging the result of the governorship election held on September 21, 2024. While we respect the judiciary, we completely disagree with the decision of the tribunal.” This statement underscores the party's refusal to accept the tribunal's ruling without a fight.

PDP's Confidence in Their Case

Aziegbemi further emphasized the party’s unwavering belief in the strength of their case. He confidently stated, “We believe, without any doubt, that our candidate was duly elected by the majority of the voters in that election. We are certain that we sufficiently proved our case before the tribunal.” The PDP leadership is convinced that they presented a solid case and that the tribunal overlooked critical evidence supporting their claims.

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Addressing the party's supporters, Aziegbemi urged them not to lose hope. He reassured everyone that the PDP is committed to pursuing justice through the proper legal channels. In his words, “We call on all our members to rise up from this temporary setback and take our matter to the appellate courts. As firm believers in the rule of law and the ultimate superiority of right over wrong, we will explore all available democratic means to ensure the will of the people of Edo prevails.” This call to action demonstrates the PDP’s determination to fight for what they believe is right.

Tribunal's Perspective on the Case

On the other side of the argument, the three-member tribunal, presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the PDP’s petition. Their reasoning? The petitioners failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate their claims of over-voting and electoral non-compliance. According to the tribunal, the responsibility lies with the petitioners to prove their allegations against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Simply put, the tribunal expects more than just accusations; they need hard evidence.

Justice Kpochi highlighted a significant flaw in the PDP’s case: the lack of polling unit agents and presiding officers as witnesses. He pointed out, “The documents tendered from the bar by the petitioners were dumped on the tribunal without any competent witness to substantiate the claims of over-voting and electoral non-compliance. The failure of the petitioners to call polling unit agents and registered voters is fatal to their case.” This absence of key witnesses severely weakened the PDP’s argument in the tribunal’s eyes.

Criticisms Directed at the PDP

The tribunal also took issue with the PDP’s approach to presenting evidence. They criticized the party for bringing Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to court without calling competent witnesses to operate them and validate their claims of over-voting. The judge remarked, “These witnesses presented by the petitioners, comprising Local Government agents and others, are total strangers. The failure to provide eyewitness accounts to prove electoral non-compliance is crucial to the case.” It’s clear that the tribunal found the PDP’s presentation lacking in several key areas.

PDP's Unwavering Commitment to Justice

Despite the tribunal's ruling, the PDP remains steadfast in its mission to secure justice. Aziegbemi concluded with a powerful statement, “This is not the end of our journey, but the beginning of a greater struggle for justice, democracy, and the sanctity of the people’s mandate freely given to our candidate and running mate.” The party is determined to take the matter to higher courts, ensuring that the voice of the people is heard and respected. This marks the beginning of what could be a prolonged legal battle, as the PDP seeks to overturn the tribunal's decision and restore what they believe is the rightful outcome of the election.