Edo Election Tribunal Upholds Okpebholo’s Victory, Ighodalo Heads to Appeal Court
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has affirmed the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a unanimous decision, the three-member panel ruled that there was no basis to nullify the results of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Wilfred Kpochi dismissed the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, citing a lack of merit. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes.
Dissatisfied with the results, the PDP and Ighodalo alleged electoral irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act 2022. Their petition contended that INEC failed to properly serialize and pre-record sensitive electoral materials, which they argued facilitated rigging in favor of the APC. They also claimed that incorrect result computations in 765 polling units led to over-voting, favoring Okpebholo.
To support their claims, the petitioners presented 19 witnesses and submitted 153 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used in 133 polling units as evidence. However, the tribunal ruled that the petitioners failed to substantiate their allegations with credible evidence.
The panel emphasized that the burden of proof rested on the petitioners and noted that their case relied heavily on hearsay evidence. It highlighted that they failed to produce polling unit agents, presiding officers, or voters to corroborate claims of electoral malpractice. Furthermore, the tribunal rejected new arguments introduced in the petitioners' reply, ruling them inadmissible.
Regarding the allegation of over-voting, the tribunal stated that essential evidence—such as the voters’ register, BVAS machines, and Form EC8A—was not adequately demonstrated before the panel. It concluded that even if the allegedly unlawful votes were deducted, Okpebholo would still have emerged as the winner of the election.
In response to the ruling, Ighodalo’s legal team vowed to appeal the decision at the Court of Appeal, signaling the continuation of the legal battle over the Edo governorship election outcome.
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