Amidst the ongoing legal proceedings at the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Edo Osahon, has accused leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of orchestrating a clandestine effort to sway the tribunal’s decision.
Osahon alleges that the PDP attempted to leverage the influence of traditional rulers in the South-West region to secure the support of President Bola Tinubu.
According to Osahon, this alleged strategy formed part of a desperate, last-ditch attempt by the PDP to negotiate a favorable outcome at the tribunal. He claims the party sought to enlist the support of the traditional rulers to request an audience with President Tinubu.
“This desperate bid and surprising turn of events by the PDP and its candidate has ultimately fallen flat, according to our sources,” Osahon stated in a press release issued Tuesday in Abuja.
The APC chieftain further alleged that PDP leaders had been actively engaging with traditional rulers, seeking their assistance in persuading President Tinubu’s daughter to intercede on their behalf with the President, all in an attempt to influence the tribunal’s verdict.
“What we know is that such a plan cannot work. Nobody can influence the tribunal, which is made of erudite jurists. Those hoping to get to our president to help with their case are on a fruitless journey. Mr. President has always allowed processes and systems to work. It is unheard of that some people would even sit down to think of such an unrealistic strategy.” Osahon asserted.
Osahon also claimed to have information suggesting a new plan to disrupt the tribunal sitting in Abuja, allegedly stemming from the PDP’s dissatisfaction with the performance of their witnesses, who they believe failed to adequately demonstrate their victory in the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo of the APC the winner of the Edo gubernatorial election, citing his attainment of 291,667 votes, surpassing his closest rival, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who garnered 247,274 votes.
The PDP and its candidate, Ighodalo, have vehemently rejected the declared results, filing petitions at the tribunal to contest the outcome of the election.
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, commenced full hearing of the seven petitions challenging the declaration of Governor Monday Okpebholo as the winner of the election on January 17, 2025. The proceedings are closely watched as the tribunal meticulously examines the evidence and arguments presented by all parties involved.
