Gavel

The Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will deliver its judgement on Wednesday regarding the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the victory of Sen. Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024, election.

The PDP and Ighodalo have alleged widespread irregularities and are seeking the nullification of Okpebholo’s victory. The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had reserved judgement on March 3 after final written addresses were adopted by all parties.

The three-member panel will rule on three petitions: EPT/ED/GOV/01/2024, EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, and EPT/ED/GOV/03/2024.

On January 31, the tribunal admitted 148 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines as evidence. The devices, presented by INEC’s ICT officer Anthony Itodo, were subpoenaed following disputes over results from 133 polling units.

INEC had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes. However, the PDP argues that the election was marred by non-compliance with the Electoral Act, 2022.

The APC and Okpebholo have urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition, insisting that the PDP failed to provide substantial evidence to support its claims.