The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the 2024 Edo Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to dismiss the case brought forward by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), contesting the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
During a pre-hearing session held on Wednesday, Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), representing the APC, argued that the petition was invalid, claiming it did not comply with legal requirements. He further asserted that the tribunal lacked the authority to address the matter. Orbih’s objections were outlined in a motion dated November 30, accompanied by a seven-paragraph affidavit supporting his position.
In defense, the PDP’s lawyer, Ken Mozia (SAN), dismissed the APC’s motion as baseless. Mozia urged the tribunal to disregard the APC’s claims, noting that the petitioners had filed a counter-affidavit and reply to dispute the motion. Justice Wilfred Kpochi, the tribunal’s chairman, stated that a decision on the motion would be reserved until the conclusion of the case.
Separately, the APC also submitted a motion to strike out specific sections of the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo. Orbih requested that the tribunal address this motion before proceeding with the main petition.
The PDP’s counsel opposed this request, labeling the motion as unfounded and calling for its dismissal. However, Justice Kpochi rejected the APC’s plea for an immediate ruling, emphasizing that all preliminary motions would be addressed on the final judgment day. “The arguments from both sides have been noted, and a ruling will be given at the conclusion of the case,” Justice Kpochi stated.
Earlier in the session, the PDP submitted four motions seeking the removal of certain sections from the responses filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC, and Okpebholo to its petition. The tribunal adjourned proceedings to Saturday, allowing all parties to submit a joint proposal to guide the hearing.
The PDP’s petition challenges INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21 election. According to INEC, Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, surpassing the PDP’s Ighodalo, who garnered 247,274 votes, and the Labour Party’s Olumide Akpata, who received 22,763 votes.
