Edo Election Tribunal Ruling: Ighodalo Set to Appeal Verdict

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in the 2024 Edo State election, Asue Ighodalo, has vowed to appeal the judgment of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal. The tribunal, sitting in Abuja, upheld the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial poll.

Tribunal’s Ruling

The three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the petition filed by Ighodalo and the PDP, citing their failure to substantiate allegations of over-voting. The tribunal affirmed that Okpebholo secured the highest number of valid votes and was duly elected as governor.

In its judgment, the tribunal criticized the manner in which the petitioners presented their evidence, stating that they did not convincingly link their claims to the allegations presented before the court.

Ighodalo’s Response

Expressing dissatisfaction with the verdict, Ighodalo, in a statement on Wednesday, reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing justice through legal means.

“Today, the Edo Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has delivered its judgment in our petition challenging the outcome of the September 21st, 2024, governorship election. While we may not all agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must be upheld,” Ighodalo stated.

He emphasized that his fight was not merely for personal ambition but for the preservation of democracy and the electoral rights of the people of Edo State. He urged his supporters to remain peaceful, calm, and law-abiding, stressing that the battle for justice was far from over.

“I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision, which we consider a huge travesty of justice,” he added.

PDP’s Position

Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, the Campaign Director of the Asue/Ogie Campaign Council, described the judgment as a miscarriage of justice. He pointed out that the tribunal’s ruling mirrored arguments previously advanced by APC members during the case hearings.

“Our lawyers presented certified true copies of INEC documents as evidence, yet the tribunal dismissed our claims. We are confident that our case is strong, and we will not relent in our pursuit of justice. We will take this matter to the Court of Appeal,” Iduoriyekemwen stated.

Governor Okpebholo’s Reaction

Governor Okpebholo welcomed the tribunal’s ruling, dedicating his victory to God and the people of Edo State. In a statement on his official X handle, he expressed gratitude to the APC leadership and reiterated his commitment to governance and the development of the state.

“Today, the tribunal affirmed the mandate graciously given to me by the good people of Edo State. This victory belongs to every Edo citizen who believes in our collective vision for a better, more prosperous state,” Okpebholo stated.

Legal Battle Continues

Following the declaration of Okpebholo as the winner of the election, the PDP and Ighodalo filed a petition (EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024) challenging the results. They alleged widespread electoral irregularities, including over-voting, non-serialisation of ballots, and incorrect collation of figures in 765 polling units.

During the trial, the petitioners presented 19 witnesses and subpoenaed an INEC Senior Technical Officer, who tendered 154 BVAS machines from 133 polling units as evidence. Despite this, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to prove their allegations convincingly. The tribunal further noted that the petitioners did not provide competent witnesses, such as polling unit agents or presiding officers, to validate their claims.

“The failure by the petitioners to call polling unit agents, presiding officers, or other registered voters was fatal to the case,” the tribunal held.

As the legal battle shifts to the Court of Appeal, the political landscape in Edo State remains tense, with both parties gearing up for the next phase of the electoral dispute. Whether the appellate court will overturn the tribunal’s decision remains to be seen, but for now, the APC and Okpebholo celebrate their legal victory while the PDP and Ighodalo prepare for the next round in their quest for justice.