The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to begin presenting its witnesses at the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja this Thursday. This follows the conclusion of the petitioners’ case on Monday. The petitioners, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo, are challenging INEC’s declaration of Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the September 21, 2024 Edo State governorship election.
Petitioners Challenge INEC’s Declaration of Okpebholo as Winner
According to the official results released by INEC, Okpebholo secured 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo received 247,655 votes. The petitioners argue that the election results were flawed, claiming INEC declared the wrong winner. They are seeking the nullification of the election results, citing non-compliance with the Electoral Act. The petitioners raised concerns about alleged overvoting and the collation of incorrect figures at polling centres.
Witnesses and Legal Arguments in the Election Petition Case
Some of the petitioners’ witnesses testified that these issues led them to refuse to sign the result sheets at their respective polling units and wards. INEC’s lead counsel, Abdullahi Aliyu (SAN), informed the tribunal that the commission had lined up five witnesses to testify in its defence. He requested an adjournment until Thursday to allow the witnesses to travel from Benin to the tribunal.
In its defence, INEC submitted the official results of the Edo governorship election to the tribunal, including certified true copies of the Form EC8D result. The commission also presented a certified document containing the declaration of the result and a copy of its 2022 Regulations & Guidelines for the conduct of elections. Both the petitioners and the second and third defendants, Okpebholo and APC, did not object to the documents being admitted into evidence.
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, admitted the documents as Exhibits R-1, R-2, and R-3.
Implications of the Ongoing Legal Battle for Edo State Election Results
As the tribunal resumes, the focus will now shift to INEC’s defence and the presentation of witness testimonies. The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal remains crucial in determining the outcome of the disputed election, with both the petitioners and INEC presenting their cases. This ongoing legal battle emphasizes the importance of electoral transparency and adherence to the Electoral Act. The outcome will have significant implications for Edo State’s political landscape and could set a precedent for future elections in Nigeria.
