Reactions poured in following the ruling of the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja, which upheld the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
While Governor Okpebholo extended an olive branch to his challenger, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), offering an opportunity for reconciliation and cooperation in developing the state, Ighodalo has vowed to contest the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
In a unanimous decision, the tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, dismissed the petition filed by Ighodalo and the PDP, which sought to annul Okpebholo’s election.
The tribunal found no merit in the allegations raised by the petitioners.
According to the tribunal, the election, which took place on September 21, 2024, was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act, and the results reflected the will of the people.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo as the winner with 291,667 votes, defeating Ighodalo, who secured 247,655 votes.
Dissatisfied with the result, the PDP and its candidate challenged the election, arguing that it had not been conducted in compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The petitioners alleged that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes and claimed that INEC had failed to pre-record and serialize sensitive election materials, facilitating rigging in favor of the APC.
They also alleged a miscalculation of results in 765 polling units and presented 19 witnesses, along with 153 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines from 133 polling units, as evidence.
The petitioners further claimed that results were manipulated at collation centers, leading to over-voting in Okpebholo’s favor.
However, the tribunal, in its judgment, stated that the petitioners had failed to provide credible evidence to support their claims.
The tribunal emphasized that the burden of proof lay with the petitioners and that they failed to demonstrate, through competent witnesses, that the election was not conducted in accordance with the law.
The panel also noted that the petitioners introduced new facts that were not part of their original case, and these were rejected.
While the petitioners tendered several exhibits, the tribunal pointed out that most of the witnesses gave hearsay evidence and that the necessary polling unit agents, presiding officers, or voters were not called to testify, which weakened their case.
The tribunal also noted that the BVAS machines presented by the petitioners were not turned on to demonstrate that the alleged over-voting occurred.
Even if the tribunal had deducted the votes alleged to have been unlawfully credited to Okpebholo, the governor would still have been declared the winner.
Reacting to the tribunal’s ruling, Ighodalo, through his legal team, vowed to challenge it at the Court of Appeal. Ignoring Okpebholo’s olive branch, he described the verdict as a “huge travesty of justice” and reaffirmed his commitment to challenging it.
In a statement, Ighodalo urged his supporters to remain peaceful and stressed that his petition was about ensuring that the people’s mandate was not compromised.
He reiterated that his candidacy, alongside his running mate, Barr. Osarodion Ogie, was driven by the aspirations of the people of Edo State.
“While we all may not agree with the verdict, we remain steadfast in our belief that the rule of law must be the bedrock of our democracy,” Ighodalo said.
“This petition was never about personal ambition but a commitment to ensuring that the people’s mandate was not compromised.”
He continued, “I have, therefore, instructed my legal team to proceed to the Court of Appeal to challenge this decision,” emphasizing that his fight for justice and electoral integrity would continue.
In contrast, Governor Okpebholo’s Chief Press Secretary, Fred Itua, issued a statement celebrating the tribunal’s victory, thanking the people of Edo State for their continued support.
Okpebholo dedicated the tribunal’s ruling to the citizens who voted for him, asserting that the decision affirmed the people’s confidence in his leadership.
“The tribunal, after a thorough and impartial examination of the petitions brought forward by the opposition, has dismissed all claims, confirming that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and that Governor Monday Okpebholo was duly elected,” the statement read.
Okpebholo also expressed his gratitude to the tribunal, thanking them for their fairness and diligence.
He reiterated his commitment to delivering on his promises, focusing on good governance and inclusive development for Edo State.
“This victory is not mine alone, but a victory for every citizen and resident of Edo State. It is a mandate to continue the work we have started, to build a state where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” Okpebholo said.
“We remain committed to our promise of good governance, transparency, and inclusive development.”
In a development that underscored divisions within the PDP, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who is a member of the party, congratulated Governor Okpebholo on his tribunal victory.
Wike described the ruling as a confirmation of the mandate freely given to Okpebholo by the people of Edo State and urged the governor to stay focused on governance.
“I believe in him, and with the way he has started, I am confident that his government will have a positive impact on Edo State and its people,” Wike stated.
Meanwhile, former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Bode George, criticized the tribunal’s judgment, calling it a mockery of the judiciary.
He vowed that the PDP would pursue the matter up to the Supreme Court, expressing confidence that the party would ultimately reclaim the mandate.
“From the judgment we had yesterday, what we now have in this country is ‘judas-iary’ and no more judiciary,” George said.
“We hope and believe that the appellate court would address the real issue because the Governor of Edo knows he didn’t win the election.”
