“PDP Closes Case at Edo Election Petition Tribunal, Challenges Election Results”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate in Edo, Asue Ighodalo, officially closed their case on Monday at the Edo Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja. The petitioners have challenged the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election, which was declared in favor of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During the hearing, Robert Emukpoeruo, lead counsel for the petitioners, informed the tribunal that the PDP and Ighodalo had completed their case after presenting 19 witnesses. INEC, for its part, tendered five additional Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used during the election, which were admitted into evidence despite objections from the respondents. The respondents, which include INEC, APC, and Governor Okpebholo, indicated they would present their reasons for the objections in their final written addresses.

The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, had previously admitted evidence that 148 BVAS machines were used in 133 polling units contested by the petitioners. The matter was adjourned until February 5 for INEC to present its defense.

The Action Democratic Party (ADP) also closed its case following the testimony of its chairman in Edo, Francis Obamwonyi. He told the tribunal that he would be surprised if anyone claimed that the party’s candidate also served as the state’s collation agent. He also noted that the ADP secured 1,119 votes in the election, which was ultimately won by the APC and its candidate, Okpebholo. Obamwonyi reiterated the ADP’s claims of non-compliance with the Electoral Act, over-voting, and voter intimidation based on reports from party agents.

The tribunal has set February 6 for INEC to open its defense.

Jarrett Tenebe, the chairman of the APC in Edo, responded to the PDP’s case closure, suggesting that the party had abandoned its case due to insufficient evidence. He argued that with only 19 witnesses presented for the challenge of results in hundreds of polling units, the PDP had no substantial case. Tenebe expressed confidence that the APC would successfully defend the results and prove its victory when it presents its case.

In the September 21, 2024 election, INEC declared Okpebholo as the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who received 247,655 votes. Dissatisfied with the results, the PDP and Ighodalo approached the tribunal, seeking to nullify the declaration, alleging that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes and that the election was marred by non-compliance with the Electoral Act.