The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has adjourned the hearing on the petition filed by Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), now rescheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2025. This delay follows a request from the lead counsel for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Governor Monday Okpebholo, the 1st and 2nd respondents, seeking a postponement.
The petitioners, Ighodalo and the PDP, are challenging the declaration of Okpebholo as the winner of the September 21, 2024 election. The respondents’ counsel had “more pressing matters” to address at the Supreme Court, which led to the adjournment.
Originally, the tribunal had set the hearing date for January 13, 2025, after completing the pre-hearing session on December 21, 2024. However, when the tribunal resumed in Benin City on January 13, 2025, Assistant Secretary Dayo Dahunsi revealed that the request for an adjournment had been made.
Apparently, the respondents’ counsel was scheduled to appear at the Supreme Court on January 14, 2025. This new delay raises concerns about the ongoing legal battle, seemingly driven more by scheduling conflicts than genuine legal issues.
Why It Matters
Ighodalo and the PDP are contesting Okpebholo’s victory, arguing that the election process lacked fairness. The heart of their case is not just about the election result, but about ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Despite this setback, Oladipo Oshinowo, representing the petitioners’ lead counsel Ken Mozia, agreed to the adjournment, but with clear conditions. “Although we are ready and prepared to commence trials today, we received a copy of the letter seeking an adjournment late yesterday from the tribunal registry,” Oshinowo said. He emphasized that this would be the last adjournment they would accept and made it clear that any future requests would not be entertained.
Counsel for the 3rd respondent, the All Progressives Congress (APC), Josephine Ogagaworia, also did not object to the adjournment request. After hearing from all parties, Justice Wilfred Kpochi agreed to the adjournment and set a new hearing date. Meanwhile, INEC’s electoral figures remain unchanged, with Okpebholo declared the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,274 votes. However, the petitioners are determined to push forward with their challenge, despite the continuing delays.
