Chaos at Edo Election Tribunal as Gunshots Ring Out; Security Restores Order Quickly
Gunshots were fired near the venue of the Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal on Wednesday morning, sparking panic among lawyers, litigants, politicians, and reporters who scrambled to safety to avoid potential harm from stray bullets.
The gunfire erupted outside the Edo High Court Complex on Sapele Road in Benin, where the tribunal, presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, was in session. The initial panic quickly subsided after swift intervention from fully-armed security operatives, allowing the tribunal proceedings to continue without further disruption.
Edo APC Chairman, Jarret Tenebe, condemned the incident, calling the violence “deeply disturbing” and “unacceptable.” In his statement, Tenebe reaffirmed the importance of the tribunal as a “sacred space” for impartial justice and called on all parties, regardless of their political affiliations, to denounce such acts and commit to peaceful dispute resolution.
“Violence has no place in a civilized society,” Tenebe emphasized, demanding that those responsible for the violence be brought to justice.
The tribunal is currently reviewing petitions from several political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP), challenging the results of the September 21, 2024, governorship election, which saw Senator Monday Okpebholo of the APC declared the winner. The petitions seek to overturn the election results and declare their own candidates victorious.
