The Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal delivered a unanimous judgment upholding the victory of Governor Godwin Obaseki of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and dismissing the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu. The Tribunal, presided over by Justice Wilfred Kpochi, determined that the petitioners failed to substantiate their claims of over-voting and other electoral irregularities. The judgment affirmed that Governor Obaseki secured the highest number of valid votes in the September 19, 2020 governorship election. This decision effectively validated the electoral mandate given to Governor Obaseki and reinforced the credibility of the election process.
Dr. Samson Osagie, the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, hailed the tribunal’s judgment as a vindication of the obvious victory of Governor Obaseki and the APC. He emphasized that mere allegations and unsubstantiated claims are insufficient to overturn an election outcome. Dr. Osagie pointed out that the petitioners did not present any concrete evidence to support their accusations of malpractice. He stressed the importance of providing credible evidence and eyewitness testimonies to support claims in election petitions. The Attorney General’s statement underscored the legal principle that the burden of proof lies with the petitioner to convincingly demonstrate their case before the tribunal.
Dr. Osagie criticized the PDP and its candidate for failing to present any eyewitnesses from any part of the state to corroborate their allegations. He described their approach as merely dumping documents on the court without proper context or explanation. Furthermore, he highlighted the inadequacy of simply presenting BVAS machines without leading credible evidence on their usage or relevance to the alleged malpractice. The Attorney General’s comments revealed the petitioners’ failure to effectively utilize the available evidence and technology to support their claims, ultimately undermining their case before the tribunal.
The Attorney General connected the tribunal’s affirmation of Governor Obaseki’s victory to the tangible progress being made through various projects across the state. He portrayed this as a testament to the effective governance of the incumbent administration. Dr. Osagie affirmed that the governor was more determined than ever to deliver people-oriented projects, suggesting that the tribunal’s verdict further emboldened the administration’s commitment to its developmental agenda. He described Governor Obaseki’s administration as divinely ordained, underscoring the strong belief in the legitimacy and purpose of his leadership.
Beyond the legal proceedings, Dr. Osagie also marked the tenth-year remembrance anniversary of his late father, Pa Samson Imarhiagbe-Ogbewe. He expressed gratitude to all those who had supported the family over the years, emphasizing the enduring legacy of hard work instilled by his father. The event was attended by prominent figures within the APC, including former governorship aspirant Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, former Deputy Governor Philip Shaibu, Commissioner for Finance Osareitin Edosomwan, and Emmanuel Okoebo, among others. This gathering demonstrated the continued influence and relevance of the Osagie family within the political landscape of Edo State.
The Edo State Governorship Election Tribunal’s judgment provided a clear and decisive resolution to the electoral dispute, affirming Governor Obaseki’s victory and dismissing the PDP’s petition. The decision underscores the importance of presenting concrete evidence and compelling arguments in challenging election outcomes. The Attorney General’s comments highlighted the petitioners’ shortcomings in substantiating their claims and emphasized the governor’s strengthened commitment to delivering good governance. The convergence of the legal proceedings and the family remembrance event underscored the intricate interplay between political and personal life in Edo State.
