The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has upheld the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo.
Delivering the lead judgment on Wednesday, Justice Wilfred Kpochi ruled that the petitioners failed to provide substantial evidence to justify the annulment of the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
INEC had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes. However, the PDP and its candidate challenged the results, alleging electoral malpractice, including irregularities in vote computation and the use of unregistered sensitive materials.
The tribunal, after reviewing the petition, found that PDP and Ighodalo failed to substantiate their claims. It noted that most of their witnesses provided hearsay evidence and that the necessary polling unit agents, presiding officers, or accredited voters were not presented to support their case.
Furthermore, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners merely “dumped exhibits” before the panel without demonstrating them through competent witnesses. It also dismissed claims of over-voting, stating that the petitioners failed to provide the required voter registers, BVAS machines, and Form EC8A as evidence.
Even if the disputed votes were deducted, the tribunal maintained that Okpebholo would still be the winner of the election.
Reacting to the ruling, Ighodalo’s legal team vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.