The Edo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the ruling of the Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, which on Wednesday upheld the election of Governor Okpebholo.
The tribunal dismissed the petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
In a statement released in Benin City, Dr. Tony Aziegbemi, Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee, asserted that their candidate was legitimately elected by a majority of Edo voters.
“The Edo Election Petition Tribunal has delivered its ruling on our petition, challenging the result of the governorship election held Sept. 21, 2024. Although we hold the judiciary in the highest esteem as a political party and respect the judgment, we completely disagree with the decision of the tribunal.” Aziegbemi stated.
Aziegbemi reiterated the party’s conviction in its case. “We believe, without any doubt, that our candidate, in the election, was duly elected by the majority of the voters in that election. We are also certain that we sufficiently proved our case before the tribunal.”
The PDP Chairman urged party members to remain steadfast and announced the party’s intention to appeal the tribunal’s decision. “It is on the back of this conviction that we call on all our members to quickly rise up from the ashes of this temporary setback as we take our matter to the appellate courts.”
Aziegbemi concluded, “As firm believers in the rule of law and the ultimate superiority of right over wrong, we call on all our supporters to keep hope alive as we explore all available democratic means of enthroning the will of the people of Edo.”
The three-member tribunal panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, delivered a unanimous judgment, stating that the petitioners failed to substantiate their allegations of over-voting and electoral non-compliance. The tribunal emphasized that the onus was on the petitioner to prove allegations of electoral malpractice against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Addressing the PDP’s claim that the number of votes cast exceeded the number of registered voters in certain polling units, the judge sided with the defendants, noting the petitioners’ failure to present polling unit agents and presiding officers to corroborate their claims.
“It was clear to us that the documents tendered from the bar were dumped on the tribunal without any competent witness to substantiate the claims of over-voting and electoral non-compliance,” Justice Kpochi stated. He further criticized the petitioners’ witnesses, describing them as “total strangers.”
The tribunal highlighted a critical flaw in the PDP’s case, stating that “the failure of the petitioners in this case to call polling unit agents and registered voters is fatal to their case,” emphasizing the necessity of eyewitness accounts to prove electoral non-compliance.
The judge also faulted the PDP’s presentation of BVAS machines without calling competent witnesses to operate them and demonstrate claims of over-voting.
Consequently, the tribunal dismissed the PDP and Ighodalo’s petition, citing their failure to adequately prove their case against the governor’s election. The PDP’s decision to appeal sets the stage for a continued legal battle over the Edo State governorship election.
