By Parrot Newspaper Tribunal Upholds Governor Okpebholo’s Election: A Closer Look
By Ricky Awodi
In a significant development, the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, based in Abuja, ruled on Wednesday against nullifying the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
#### Dismissal of the Petition: What Happened?
The three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, delivered a unanimous decision. Alongside refusing to nullify the election results, the tribunal also declined to instruct the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct fresh elections in Edo State.
The case at hand originated from the Accord Party (AP) and its gubernatorial candidate, who argued that the election held on September 21, 2024, was marred by corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. However, the tribunal concluded that the petitioners did not meet the legal burden of proof required to support their claims.
While the petitioners made broad claims about electoral misconduct, they could not provide specific details about the alleged problems—such as identifying exact polling units or wards where rigging occurred. This lack of concrete evidence led the tribunal to regard their allegations as “vague” and unsubstantiated.
#### Key Findings of the Tribunal
The panel emphasized that it found merit in the preliminary objections brought forth to challenge the validity of the petition. The tribunal determined that the presented claims did not provide a reasonable cause of action, leading to a dismissal of the petition as incompetent.
It’s worth recalling that INEC previously announced that Governor Okpebholo emerged victorious with 291,667 votes, beating his closest competitor, Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who secured 247,655 votes. The AP candidate trailed significantly, garnering only 252 votes.
Frustrated by the results, the Accord Party and its candidate maintained that the election was riddled with serious irregularities. They alleged issues such as multiple thumbprinting, voter intimidation, and a failure to utilize the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in various polling units.
#### The Road Ahead: What’s Next for Edo Politics?
The tribunal’s conclusion also follows the earlier dismissal of a similar petition by the Action Alliance (AA) regarding Okpebholo’s election. With both efforts falling short, attention now shifts toward the joint petition filed by the PDP and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, demanding recognition as the rightful winners of the disputed governorship election.
As the political landscape in Edo State continues to unfold, this ruling sets the stage for what lies ahead. The recent developments not only affirm Okpebholo’s position but also reflect the complexities and challenges within the electoral process that both parties and voters must navigate in the future.