The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal is currently in session, examining the validity of the September 21, 2024 gubernatorial election, specifically focusing on the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The tribunal has recently adjourned its proceedings to March 3, 2025, allowing both parties involved in the litigation ample time to prepare and submit their final written addresses.
This development was triggered by the APC’s decision to conclude its case without presenting any further witnesses. Initially, the party had asserted its intention to bring forth a total of 28 witnesses to testify in defense of Governor Okpebholo’s election results. However, during the course of the tribunal hearings, the party unexpectedly limited its presentation to only four witnesses. Among these witnesses, three testified about incidents of over-voting that allegedly occurred during the gubernatorial election.
On the day preceding the adjournment, the APC’s lead counsel, Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), revealed to the tribunal that the anticipated documents necessary to support their defense had not arrived from Benin City. He expressed concern for the tribunal’s time while affirming their satisfaction with the current state of their case. Orbih stated, “Yesterday, we promised to present 28 witnesses. However, after a comprehensive review and considering that the documents are still in Benin, we have decided not to proceed with calling additional witnesses.” His inclination to move forward without risk of delaying the proceedings indicates the strategic considerations behind the APC’s decision to close its case promptly.
Neither the petitioners, represented by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its gubernatorial candidate Asue Ighodalo, nor the respondents opposed the APC’s request to close its case. This mutual agreement among the parties demonstrates a degree of procedural balance as the tribunal seeks to ensure a fair examination of the evidence presented. Following the conclusion of the APC case, the tribunal officially closed the proceeding and set a new date for the continuation of the case.
The tribunal is currently faced with a petition from the PDP, which contends that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wrongly declared Okpebholo as the election winner, citing potential irregularities including over-voting and other electoral malpractices. The outcome of this tribunal is of significant importance as it can impact the political landscape in Edo State, influencing governance and party dynamics in the region.
With the adjournment set for March 3, both parties are now tasked with preparing their written addresses that summarize their positions and arguments based on the evidence reviewed during the hearings. The forthcoming submissions will be critical in guiding the tribunal’s final decision regarding the legitimacy of the election results. The expectation is that each party will assert its stance thoroughly and persuasively in their final written addresses, which will then be reviewed by the tribunal before making a ruling.
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