…Criticises PDP’s evidence, says petitioners relied heavily on unverified documents

…Edo Gov calls for unity, political reconciliation

…Wike congratulates Okpebholo, urges him to remain focused on delivering for Edo people

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC), dismissing the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerime Ighodalo.

The tribunal’s unanimous judgment on Wednesday saw the claims made by Ighodalo and the PDP rejected, with the panel stating that they failed to provide sufficient evidence to substantiate their allegations.

Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Wilfred Kpochi, delivered the lead judgment, dismissing the petition as lacking merit.

“The petitioners have failed to prove that Governor Okpebholo was unduly returned as the winner of the election,” Justice Kpochi stated.

He emphasised that the burden of proof rested squarely on the petitioners, and they had failed to establish any credible evidence to support their claims of electoral malpractice.

NewsDirect reports that the PDP and Ighodalo had argued that the election, held on September 21, 2024, was marred by irregularities, including over-voting, the manipulation of results in 765 polling units, and the improper handling of sensitive election materials by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

However, the tribunal ruled that these allegations were not supported by convincing evidence.

The panel specifically criticised the manner in which the petitioners presented their case, stating, “The petitioners relied heavily on hearsay and unverified documents, with no credible witnesses to support their claims.”

It noted that the 19 witnesses presented by the PDP failed to provide compelling testimony, with most of them offering hearsay evidence instead of firsthand accounts from polling unit agents or presiding officers.

“The failure to bring essential witnesses, such as polling unit agents, presiding officers, or voters who participated in the election, significantly hurt the petitioners’ case,” the tribunal concluded.

The tribunal also rejected the introduction of new facts by the petitioners, which had not been included in their original petition.

“The petitioners introduced new facts during the course of the trial, which were not part of the initial petition, and these were struck out by the panel,” Justice Kpochi noted.

Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has called for unity and reconciliation following his victory at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The governor extended an olive branch to his rival, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), urging him to work together for the progress and development of the state.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, Governor Okpebholo dedicated his victory to the people of Edo State, expressing heartfelt gratitude for their trust in him during the election.

He noted that the tribunal’s decision vindicated his election, confirming that the process was conducted in line with the Electoral Act.

“The Tribunal, after a detailed and unbiased review of the opposition’s petitions, dismissed all claims and affirmed that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act, thereby validating Governor Monday Okpebholo’s election,” the statement reads partly.

Governor Okpebholo expressed his sincere thanks to the tribunal for its fairness and to the citizens of Edo State for their continuous support. He underscored that the victory was not only his but belonged to every Edo citizen.

“This victory is not mine alone, but a victory for every citizen and resident of Edo State. It is a mandate to continue the work we have started, to build a state where everyone has the opportunity to succeed,” the governor remarked.

He then called on all Edo citizens, including opposition members and Ighodalo, to come together for the common good.

The statement further emphasised that the Okpebholo administration would remain focused on delivering on its campaign promises and would not be diverted by any legal challenges. The governor reaffirmed his dedication to serving the people of Edo State

Despite these setbacks, Ighodalo’s legal team has vowed to challenge the tribunal’s decision at the Court of Appeal.

In a statement, Ighodalo expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling, maintaining that the election was flawed and that justice had not been served.

“We firmly believe that the tribunal erred in its judgment. We will be heading to the Court of Appeal, where we are confident the truth will prevail,” Ighodalo said.

In a related development, the tribunal also dismissed the PDP’s claim that INEC had failed to properly serialise and pre-record sensitive election materials, which they alleged had facilitated electoral fraud in favor of the APC. The panel stated that the petitioners had not provided sufficient proof to substantiate their allegations.

Justice Kpochi further clarified that none of the BVAS machines tendered by the petitioners had been activated to demonstrate that the number of votes recorded in the disputed polling units exceeded the number of accredited voters.

“To prove over-voting, essential evidence such as the Voter Register, BVAS machines, and Form EC8A is necessary. The petitioners failed to provide any credible evidence to substantiate their claims,” the tribunal stated.

Despite the dismissal of the petition, the tribunal acknowledged that the PDP had been thorough in listing the polling units and wards where they claimed irregularities occurred. However, it stated that this alone was insufficient to prove their case.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo the winner of the election with 291,667 votes, while Ighodalo secured 247,655 votes.

While the PDP and its candidate have expressed their intention to continue their legal battle, Okpebholo’s victory remains firmly intact, pending any further rulings from higher courts.

Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has extended congratulations to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State following the recent ruling by the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, which upheld his election as the legitimate winner of the September 2024 governorship poll.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike described the tribunal’s judgment as a resounding confirmation of Okpebholo’s mandate, freely given by the people of Edo State. He stressed that the verdict was a clear endorsement of the governor’s leadership and his vision for the state.

“The victory is not just for Governor Okpebholo, but for the people of Edo State who made their voices heard through the ballot. It is a further affirmation of the overwhelming trust and confidence the people have in his leadership. I urge the governor to remain focused on his governance agenda and not be distracted by those who seek to gain power through undemocratic means,” he stated.

Wike also expressed confidence in Okpebholo’s ability to lead the state to greater heights.