By Rosemary Okoduwa
The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has reserved judgment in the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Asuerinme Ighodalo, challenging the victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo in the September 21, 2024, governorship election.
At the resumed hearing on Monday, the petitioners’ lawyers, led by Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, and Ken Mozia, SAN, presented their written addresses, reiterating their claims of irregularities and over-voting in 765 polling units.
However, the respondents’ lawyers, including Kanu Agabi, SAN, and Dr. Oyinyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, argued that the petitioners failed to prove their case, describing it as an “academic exercise.”
Agabi argued that the petitioners did not seek annulment of the election, and therefore, the tribunal cannot declare them winners. He also contended that the petitioners’ grounds for non-compliance were inconsistent and defective.
Ikpeazu, counsel to Governor Okpebholo, urged the tribunal to dismiss the petition, stating that the petitioners tendered sensitive material exhibits with missing parts and failed to prove over-voting.
The APC counsel, Emmanuel Ukala, SAN, also argued that the petitioners failed to prove non-compliance with the Electoral Act, citing Supreme Court decisions.
The tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, reserved judgment, with the date to be announced later.