The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Abuja, has dismissed the petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA) seeking to nullify the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, the three-member panel led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi held that the petition lacked merit and touched on pre-election issues, which fell outside the tribunal’s jurisdiction.
The petitioners, including AA’s National Chairman, Adekunle Rufai Omoaje, had alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) unlawfully excluded their valid candidate from the governorship election held on September 21, 2024. They argued that the electoral body’s decision to recognize a candidate not properly nominated by the party violated various court judgments and constituted substantial non-compliance with Section 134(1)(b) of the Electoral Act.
Additionally, the petitioners claimed that Governor Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) did not secure the majority of lawful votes and that the election was marred by corrupt practices. They therefore sought to nullify the election.
However, the tribunal upheld all preliminary objections raised by the respondents, including INEC and Governor Okpebholo, who argued that the petition was incompetent and that AA’s National Chairman lacked the locus standi to file the case, having not participated in the election.
The respondents further contended that the petition was statute-barred as it addressed pre-election matters beyond the tribunal’s jurisdiction. Notably, AA’s candidate, Mr. Tom Iseghhi-Okojie, had stepped down for Governor Okpebholo just days before the election.
With the dismissal of the petition, Governor Okpebholo’s election victory remains upheld.
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