Edo Governorship Tribunal: PDP, Ighodalo Close Case After 19 Witnesses
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its Edo State governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, on Monday concluded their case at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja after calling 19 witnesses.
The PDP and Mr. Ighodalo had filed a petition challenging the outcome of the 2024 governorship election, in which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner. The petitioners listed INEC, the APC, and Mr. Okpebholo as respondents.
INEC Presents Additional Evidence
During the proceedings, the INEC tendered five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines to be used in voter accreditation during the election. The devices were submitted by Anthony Itodo, a senior technical officer in the ICT department of the commission.
Despite objections from all respondents, the tribunal admitted the electronic devices as evidence. Earlier, the tribunal had also admitted 148 BVAS machines used in 133 polling units where the PDP is disputing the election results.
Following the submission, lead counsel for the petitioners, Robert Emukpoeruo, SAN, informed the tribunal that his clients had concluded their case.
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, adjourned proceedings until February 5, when INEC is expected to open its defence.
ADP Also Closes Its Case
In a separate petition, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) also concluded its case after presenting its Edo State chairperson, Francis Obamwonyi, as a witness.
During his testimony, Mr. Obamwonyi said he would be surprised if anyone claimed the party’s governorship candidate also served as the state collation agent, stating that such a role was his responsibility.
He further confirmed that the ADP polled 1,119 votes in the election and alleged irregularities, including non-compliance with the Electoral Act, over-voting, harassment, and intimidation. However, when pressed for evidence, he admitted that his claims were based on reports from party agents at various polling units.
The tribunal scheduled February 6 for INEC to open its defence in the ADP case.
APC Reacts to PDP’s Case Closure
Reacting to the PDP’s decision to close its case, Edo State APC Chairperson, Jarrett Tenebe, dismissed the opposition’s case as weak, suggesting that it had been abandoned midway.
“They were called to testify but couldn’t produce more witnesses. Closing their case at this point amounts to an abandonment of their petition,” Mr. Tenebe stated.
He questioned the PDP’s decision to call only 19 witnesses while challenging results from over 700 polling units, arguing that this undermined the credibility of their claims.
“I believe they do not have a case. That is why they hurriedly closed their case today, which is a positive development for the APC,” he added.
Mr Tenebe expressed confidence that once the APC opens its defense, the people of Edo State and the entire country will see that the party won the election fairly.
Background of the Case
INEC had declared Mr Okpebholo of the APC as the winner of the September 21, 2024, governorship election, securing 291,667 votes against his closest rival, Mr Ighodalo of the PDP, who polled 247,655 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome, the PDP and Mr. Ighodalo petitioned the tribunal, seeking to annul INEC’s declaration on the grounds that Mr. Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes and that the election was marred by irregularities and noncompliance with the Electoral Act.
The petition, marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, remains a pivotal legal battle in Edo’s political landscape as the tribunal continues its proceedings.
Reference
Edo Governorship Tribunal: PDP, Ighodalo Close Case After 19 Witnesses