The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has dismissed the case brought by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo. The tribunal’s ruling brings an end to the legal battle over the September 2024 governorship election, affirming Okpebholo’s victory as the duly elected governor of Edo State.
The PDP and Ighodalo had petitioned the tribunal, alleging that the election was marred by significant irregularities, including non-compliance with the Electoral Act and instances of over-voting, which they claimed invalidated the results. However, in its judgment, the tribunal rejected these arguments, citing established Supreme Court precedents. The panel emphasized that while evidence of substantial non-compliance was presented, the burden of proof rested entirely with the petitioners—PDP and Ighodalo—and could not be shifted to the respondents, Governor Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The tribunal further scrutinized the petitioners’ allegations that Okpebholo was not duly elected, finding that the claims crumbled under examination due to insufficient evidence. A critical blow to the PDP’s case came with the tribunal’s observation that the petitioners failed to call polling unit agents as witnesses to authenticate the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) forms they submitted. The tribunal described this omission as “fatal” to their case, accusing the petitioners of “dumping documents” without proper substantiation.
The ruling solidifies Governor Okpebholo’s mandate, ending months of legal contention following his declaration as the winner of the fiercely contested election. The decision has been met with mixed reactions, with APC supporters hailing it as a victory for democracy, while some PDP members expressed disappointment, vowing to explore further legal options.
With the tribunal’s verdict now delivered, attention shifts to Okpebholo’s administration as he continues to steer Edo State forward, while the PDP regroups in the wake of this significant setback.
