Edo Election Tribunal: Ighodalo Opens Case, Alleges Widespread Irregularities

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate in the 2024 Edo State governorship election, Asue Ighodalo, on Friday, commenced their case at the election petition tribunal, presenting critical documents to substantiate claims of widespread electoral irregularities.

Ighodalo, who alleged rigging in the poll, argued that he scored the highest valid votes but was unjustly denied victory by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declared the All Progressives Congress candidate, Monday Okpebholo, as the winner.

Naija News gathered that at the resumed hearing, lead counsel for the petitioners, Adetunji Oyeyipo, SAN, submitted Certified True Copies of essential documents used in the election. Among the documents tendered were:

– Form EC8E (INEC’s final declaration result sheet);

– Form EC8D (summary of results from local government collation);

– Forms EC8C (local government area results);

– Forms EC8B (ward result sheets for the 192 wards in the state);

– Over 320 polling unit result sheets (Form EC8A);

– INEC polling unit booklets containing Form EC25D;

– Form EC8A documents from INEC’s IREV platform.

The presentation was conducted by Kenneth Mozia, SAN, who represented Oyeyipo.

Objections Raised By Respondents

Counsels for the respondents, including INEC, Governor Okpebholo, and the APC, raised objections to the admissibility of the documents.

Representing the respondents were Kanu Agabi, SAN, Onyeachi Ikpeazu, SAN, and D.C. Denwigwe, SAN, holding the brief for Emmanuel Ukala, SAN.

They informed the tribunal that their objections would be detailed at the final address stage of the proceedings.

Justice Wilfred Kpochi, who leads the three-member tribunal, provisionally admitted the documents as exhibits but noted the respondents’ objections would be addressed later.

“Learned counsel to the respondents shall state their reasons for their objections at the address stage,” Justice Kpochi ruled.

The hearing continues today (Saturday), with the petitioners expected to present additional evidence to support their claims.

In the petition marked EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, Ighodalo and the PDP are contesting INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as the winner, citing alleged noncompliance with the Electoral Act 2022.