The political landscape in Edo State was rife with tension and anticipation as the Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal prepared to deliver its judgment on the disputed September 21, 2024, election. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the two major contenders, engaged in a war of words, each accusing the other of disseminating a fabricated version of the anticipated judgment. The leaked document, purporting to reveal a split decision within the tribunal, added fuel to the already heated political climate, raising concerns about potential interference and the integrity of the judicial process. Both parties vehemently denied any involvement in the leak, with the APC expressing confidence in a favorable outcome and the PDP accusing the ruling party of attempting to manipulate public perception. This pre-judgment drama underscored the high stakes involved in the electoral contest and the deep-seated mistrust between the two political rivals.
The contested election saw the APC’s candidate, Monday Okpebholo, declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), prompting the PDP and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, to file a petition challenging the results. The petitioners alleged a range of electoral irregularities, including over-voting, non-serialization of ballots, incorrect collation of figures, and errors in computation, arguing that these issues significantly compromised the integrity of the election and favored the APC. They presented a substantial body of evidence, including witness testimonies and 154 BVAS machines, to support their claims. The PDP’s legal team meticulously built their case, aiming to convince the tribunal to annul the election and declare their candidate the rightful winner.
The respondents, including INEC, mounted a relatively subdued defense. Okpebholo presented only one witness, whose testimony, ironically, appeared to support the allegations of over-voting. The APC called four witnesses, while INEC chose not to present any witnesses at all. This seemingly passive approach by the respondents fueled speculation and further intensified the anticipation surrounding the tribunal’s decision. The stark contrast between the petitioners’ comprehensive presentation and the respondents’ limited defense strategy became a key talking point in the lead-up to the judgment.
The tribunal’s announcement that the judgment was ready and would be delivered the following day ignited a flurry of activity. Almost immediately, copies of a purported judgment began circulating online, claiming a divided verdict. This leak immediately became the center of a new controversy, with both the APC and PDP trading accusations. The PDP accused the APC of orchestrating the leak as a strategic maneuver to gauge public reaction and potentially influence the final outcome. They warned against any interference in the judicial process and emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the tribunal’s decision.
The APC categorically denied any involvement in the leak, dismissing the circulated document as a fabrication. They countered by accusing the PDP of being behind the leak, suggesting that the opposition party was attempting to preempt an unfavorable verdict and sow confusion. The APC maintained their confidence in a positive outcome, emphasizing their faith in the judiciary and their belief that the evidence presented would vindicate their victory. The exchange of accusations highlighted the deep-seated mistrust between the two parties and further heightened the drama surrounding the impending judgment.
The leaked document, its authenticity disputed, purportedly revealed a two-to-one split decision within the tribunal. This detail, further fueling speculation and anxiety, underscored the high stakes involved in the electoral dispute and the potential for significant political ramifications regardless of the final outcome. The PDP, seemingly emboldened by the purported split decision, reiterated their confidence in a favorable judgment, claiming that the APC and INEC’s failure to present a robust defense was a clear indication of their weakness. The APC, however, remained steadfast in their optimism, dismissing the leaked document and emphasizing their trust in the judiciary to deliver a fair and impartial verdict. The stage was set for a dramatic conclusion to the Edo State governorship election saga, with the nation holding its breath for the tribunal’s final pronouncement.
