Edo Tribunal Declines to Nullify Gov Okpebholo’s Election

The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has declined to nullify the election of Governor Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The tribunal’s decision was based on the failure of the Accord Party (AP) and its gubernatorial candidate to provide credible evidence to support their allegations of corrupt practices and non-compliance with the Electoral Act during the September 21, 2024, governorship election.

The petitioners had alleged widespread rigging, multiple thumbprinting, violence, intimidation, and harassment of voters, as well as the failure to use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines in various polling units. However, the tribunal found these allegations to be “general and sweeping” and lacking in specific details, such as exact polling units or wards where the alleged irregularities occurred.

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The tribunal also dismissed the petition for being incompetent, stating that it did not disclose any reasonable cause of action. This decision comes after the tribunal had earlier dismissed another petition filed by the Action Alliance (AA) seeking to nullify Governor Okpebholo’s election.

With these two cases dismissed, the tribunal will now focus on deciding the joint petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asuerinme Ighodalo, who are seeking to be declared the authentic winners of the disputed governorship contest.