A leaked document, allegedly containing the judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, has surfaced online, causing widespread speculation and debate. The document, which carries the petition number of the case filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo, against Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), emerged less than 24 hours before the tribunal’s scheduled verdict on Wednesday, April 2, 2025.
The leak has fueled uncertainty, with many questioning whether the document is the tribunal’s actual decision or a fabrication designed to sway public perception. A copy of the unsigned document, obtained by The PUNCH, suggests a split judgment among the tribunal justices.
Split Decision Raises Questions on Authenticity
According to the leaked document, two out of the three tribunal justices ruled in favor of Okpebholo, while one dissented. The tribunal panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reportedly had Justice A. B. Yusuf siding with the chairman to uphold Okpebholo’s election. However, Justice A. A. Adewole dissented, ruling in favor of Ighodalo.
The document claims Justices Kpochi and Yusuf dismissed the PDP’s petition, arguing that while electoral irregularities were noted, they were not significant enough to alter the election outcome. Citing Supreme Court precedents, they maintained that the margin of victory remained unchanged despite observed discrepancies.
Opposition Challenges Tribunal’s Alleged Decision
Justice Adewole, in his dissenting opinion, reportedly held that Ighodalo secured 243,113 valid votes, while Okpebholo polled 210,326. He declared the election invalid due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act and ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to issue a fresh Certificate of Return to Ighodalo. He further argued that the PDP’s claims were not effectively countered and that the available evidence pointed to an incorrect declaration of results.
With the official tribunal ruling still pending, the leaked document has triggered intense debate. Some believe it accurately reflects the judgment, while others dismiss it as a politically motivated distraction. As Edo residents and political observers await the tribunal’s verdict, the controversy surrounding the leaked judgment continues to deepen.
