EDO GUBER POLL: OSHIOMOLE STORMS TRIBUNAL AS HEARING ON PDP’S PETITION RESUMES
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Legal fireworks have once again taken center stage at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, presented their 16th witness in their bid to overturn the results of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
The witness, Haruna Ibrahim, testified before the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led tribunal, recounting his role as a polling unit agent during the controversial election. Ibrahim claimed that while the election process appeared to be properly conducted, he noticed irregularities, particularly over-voting, and promptly raised the issue with officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the polling unit.
The tense tribunal session saw the arrival of notable political figures, including former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, who is now representing Edo North Senatorial District. Oshiomhole showed his support for the declared winner, Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who had been announced by INEC as the victor of the governorship race. Also in attendance was Philip Shaibu, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the state, who recently defected from the PDP to the APC.
The hearing comes on the heels of the tribunal’s decision to admit 148 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines as evidence. These devices, which were used in the disputed election, were tendered by INEC’s Senior Technical Officer, Anthony Itodo, and could prove pivotal in the ongoing legal battle. The tribunal had previously heard from two PDP Ward Agents who explained that they refused to sign the election results due to irregularities they observed at the collation center.
The petitioners, the PDP and Ighodalo, are seeking to have the results of the governorship election nullified. They argue that the election was marred by violations of the Electoral Act and that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes. According to INEC’s official count, Okpebholo of the APC garnered 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo of the PDP received 247,655 votes.
As the case continues, the tribunal remains a battleground for legal arguments, with the PDP challenging INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as the winner. The outcome of the petition could have significant implications for the political landscape in Edo State.
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