The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday tendered before the Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal the official results of the September 21, 2024, gubernatorial election in the state.
INEC’s legal team, led by former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), submitted the certified true copy of the disputed election results contained in Form EC8D. Additionally, a member of the electoral body’s legal team, Mr. Abdullahi Aliyu (SAN), presented a certified document detailing the declaration of the election result, along with INEC’s Regulations & Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections, 2022.
The petitioners in the case, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, who are challenging the election outcome, did not oppose the admissibility of the three documents. Their legal representative, Mr. Adetunji Oyeyipo (SAN), noted that the petitioners had already included the same documents in their case to substantiate claims that the election process was flawed.
Similarly, counsel for Governor Monday Okpebholo and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Mr. Emmanuel Ukala (SAN), raised no objections to the admissibility of the documents. Consequently, the Justice Wilfred Kpochi-led three-member tribunal admitted the documents into evidence, marking them as Exhibits R-1, R-2, and R-3.
INEC to Present Witnesses in Defense
INEC informed the tribunal that it had prepared about five witnesses to testify in its defense. While the commission was initially allocated ten days to defend the election results it declared in favor of Governor Okpebholo, it stated that it may only utilize three days for its presentation.
The tribunal adjourned proceedings until Thursday, following INEC’s request for time to accommodate witnesses traveling from Benin, Edo State.
Among those present at the tribunal to observe the proceedings was PDP candidate Asue Ighodalo.
Background of the Election Dispute
INEC had declared Governor Monday Okpebholo of the APC as the winner of the Edo governorship election, securing 291,667 votes to defeat his closest opponent, Asue Ighodalo of the PDP, who garnered 247,655 votes.
However, the PDP and Ighodalo, dissatisfied with the outcome, filed a petition at the tribunal seeking to nullify the election results. The petition, marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, alleges non-compliance with electoral laws and argues that Okpebholo did not secure the highest number of lawful votes.
Having presented 19 witnesses and submitted several documents as evidence, the petitioners closed their case on Monday.
Previously, INEC had also submitted 153 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines used in the 133 disputed polling units as part of its defense.
With proceedings set to continue, the tribunal will now hear testimonies from INEC’s witnesses in the coming days.
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