The Edo State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has affirmed the victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the September 21, 2024 election, dismissing petitions filed by opposition parties challenging the outcome.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Okpebholo winner on September 22, 2024, a result that sparked legal challenges from several political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord Party (AC), Allied Peoples Movement (APM), Action Democratic Party (ADP), Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), and Action Alliance (AA).
While some petitioners later withdrew from the legal battle, citing party decisions and the interest of peace, three parties—PDP, AA, and AC—pursued their cases to conclusion before the tribunal.
The three-member panel, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, with Justices K. B. Yusuf and A. A. Adewole, commenced sitting in Benin City on December 9, 2024. However, due to escalating tensions and security threats from party supporters, the tribunal was relocated to the National Judicial Institute (NJI) in Abuja in January 2025.
Despite the venue change, prominent party leaders from both camps, including former Governor Adams Oshiomhole and PDP’s Asue Ighodalo, made occasional appearances at the tribunal.
The Action Alliance (AA) had argued that INEC failed to recognize its duly nominated candidate, citing exclusion from the election. However, the tribunal ruled that the petitioner lacked the legal standing to file the suit and that the dispute was a pre-election matter already decided by the courts.
The Accord Party (AC) and its candidate, Dr. Bright Enabulele, alleged widespread electoral malpractices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act. But the tribunal held that their claims were unsubstantiated, vague, and lacking credible evidence. The petition was struck out as incompetent.
The PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, in petition number EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, alleged massive irregularities and falsification of results in over 700 polling units. They also claimed that Okpebholo did not win the highest number of lawful votes.
However, Justice Kpochi, delivering the lead judgment, ruled that the PDP failed to provide sufficient evidence to back their claims. He criticized the quality of the witnesses presented, noting that none were polling unit agents or direct voters. He added that crucial materials such as BVAS machines and electoral documents were not properly demonstrated or linked to their allegations.
“The petitioners failed to call any competent witness who was physically present at the polling units,” Justice Kpochi said. “Instead, they relied on hearsay, and the documents tendered were dumped without proper linkage.”
Following the judgment on April 2, 2025, PDP governorship candidate Asue Ighodalo rejected the tribunal’s verdict, describing it as a “travesty of justice.” He vowed to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.
“Our pursuit of justice is not about personal ambition, but a commitment to uphold democracy and the will of Edo people,” Ighodalo said. “This is not the end, but the beginning of a greater struggle.”
The PDP’s Edo State Chairman, Tony Aziegbemi, echoed similar sentiments, alleging that the tribunal ignored key evidence and relied on technicalities. “We are not deterred. We are proceeding to the Court of Appeal with the facts, the law, and the will of Edo people firmly on our side,” he said.
In a conciliatory tone, Governor Okpebholo welcomed the tribunal’s ruling and urged opposition parties to join him in moving the state forward.
“This victory is not mine alone. It belongs to every citizen of Edo State,” he said in a statement by his media aide, Fred Itua. “It is time to set aside political differences and work together for the betterment of our dear state.”
He reaffirmed his commitment to good governance, transparency, and inclusive development.
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