By Okeke Eunice
The Edo State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will begin pre-hearing on Monday in Benin, as petitions challenging the victory of Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress in the September 21, 2024, governorship election are set to be reviewed.
Muazu Bagudu, the tribunal’s Secretary, confirmed the development on Tuesday, stating, “I can confirm to you that the pre-hearing in the case will start on Monday.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Okpebholo the winner of the election on September 22, after he secured 291,667 votes, defeating Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who received 247,274 votes, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party with 22,763 votes.
Dissatisfied with INEC’s declaration, the PDP, along with six other political parties, has filed petitions before the tribunal, aiming to overturn the election result.
The three-member tribunal, led by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, will review seven individual petitions submitted by different parties and candidates.
In its petition, the PDP is requesting the tribunal to annul the election results and declare Ighodalo as the rightful winner.
The Accord Party and its candidate are contesting INEC, Okpebholo, and the APC in Suit No. EPT/ED/GOV/01/2024.
The PDP and Ighodalo have filed a petition in Suit No. EPT/ED/GOV/02/2024, challenging INEC’s declaration of Okpebholo as the winner. Other petitions were also submitted by the Alliance Party, Social Democratic Party, Allied Peoples Movement, Action Democratic Party, and Zenith Labour Party, all disputing INEC’s decision and Okpebholo’s victory.
Tony Aziegbemi, the PDP’s Caretaker Chairman in Edo State, expressed confidence in the tribunal, saying, “We believe the judiciary will carefully consider the overwhelming evidence we have to prove the election was stolen. Our legal team will present the case to reclaim the stolen mandate.”
Meanwhile, APC spokesperson Peter Uwadiae-Igbinigie reassured that his party is prepared to defend its mandate, stating, “We have the best legal team and are ready to challenge the PDP’s claims. The quality of judges on the tribunal gives us confidence in a fair process. Edo people will see that the PDP has lost its relevance, while the APC is focused on improving lives in the state.”