The Edo State Election Petition Tribunal in Abuja is currently adjudicating a petition filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its governorship candidate, Asue Ighodalo, challenging the outcome of the September 21, 2024, governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the election, a result the petitioners contest based on alleged electoral malpractices. The tribunal proceedings have progressed to the stage where INEC, after the petitioners closed their case, is presenting its defense, offering a critical juncture in the legal battle for the Edo governorship.
The petitioners’ core argument revolves around alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act, citing instances of overvoting and the recording of inaccurate figures at collation centers. They allege these irregularities significantly impacted the election results and undermined the integrity of the electoral process. During their presentation of evidence, the PDP and Ighodalo called several witnesses who testified to observing these irregularities, leading them to refuse to sign result sheets at their respective wards and polling units. This refusal to sign, a significant act in the electoral process signifying acceptance of the results, underscores the petitioners’ contention of significant irregularities.
INEC, in its defense, is set to present its witnesses and evidence to counter the petitioners’ claims. The commission’s legal team has indicated that they have lined up five witnesses, mostly traveling from Benin, Edo State, to testify before the tribunal. These witnesses are expected to provide firsthand accounts and evidence to support INEC’s position that the election was conducted in substantial compliance with the Electoral Act and that the declared results accurately reflect the will of the Edo electorate.
Prior to calling its witnesses, INEC submitted several key electoral documents as evidence. These documents, which were admitted by the tribunal without objection from the petitioners or the respondents (Okpebholo and the APC), include the certified true copy of Form EC8D, the official document declaring the election results. This form is crucial as it contains the collated results from all polling units across the state and serves as the basis for declaring the winner. INEC also submitted a certified document containing the official declaration of the election result, further solidifying its position on the validity of the outcome. Lastly, INEC tendered a copy of its regulations and guidelines for conducting elections, intending to demonstrate that the electoral process adhered to established procedures.
The admission of these documents as exhibits marks a significant step in the tribunal proceedings. They provide a formal record of the election results and the regulatory framework within which the election was conducted. The tribunal will carefully examine these documents alongside the witness testimonies to determine the veracity of the claims and counterclaims presented by the parties involved. The weight given to these documents and testimonies will ultimately influence the tribunal’s final decision regarding the validity of the election.
As the legal battle over the Edo governorship unfolds, the tribunal’s task is to meticulously assess the evidence presented by both sides. This involves evaluating the credibility of witnesses, the authenticity and relevance of documents, and the overall consistency and coherence of the narratives presented. The tribunal will scrutinize the alleged irregularities, weighing them against the established legal standards for conducting elections. The outcome of these proceedings holds significant implications for the political landscape of Edo State and will undoubtedly shape the future course of governance in the state. The final judgment will either affirm the declared winner or potentially order a rerun of the election if substantial irregularities are proven to have occurred. The tribunal’s decision will be highly anticipated and will play a key role in upholding the integrity of the electoral process in Nigeria.
